Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2006
148 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland will be in a position to ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption; the number of European Union countries that have ratified this Convention; the date at which the Convention will come into force; and the implications for both ratifying and non-ratifying countries. [34489/06]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my previous replies to similar questions concerning the United Nations Convention against Corruption, most recently on 29 June 2006. The Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in October 2003 and was signed on behalf of Ireland, when it opened for signature, in December 2003. The Convention entered into force on 14 December 2005. To date, eight Member States of the EU have ratified the Convention.
The House will recall that my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who has lead responsibility in this area, has instructed his officials to examine the Convention with a view to identifying the necessary legislation which will be required to enable Ireland to ratify it. This examination, which is ongoing, is being carried out in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform will advise when their internal procedures have been completed.
The aims of the Convention are to promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption more efficiently and effectively; to promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and technical assistance in the fight against corruption, including in asset recovery; and to promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property.
