Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2012
378 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the names of any agreements he has signed with any third party Government or foreign body since taking office; and the dates on which each of these were signed. [2553/12]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that since taking office I have signed the following Agreements with other Governments or foreign bodies:
Memorandum of Understanding between Eolaíocht Fhóiréinseach Éireannach and Forensic Science Northern Ireland, 8 June 2011.
Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United States of America on Enhancing Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Serious Crime, 21 July 2011.
Furthermore by way of additional information, the Deputy might wish to note that on 20 December 2011, I signed, with the UK Minister of State for Immigration the following:
Joint Statement regarding cooperation on measures to secure the external common travel area border.
Memorandum of Understanding regarding the exchange of information relating to visa applications.
It should be noted that neither the Joint Statement nor Memorandum of Understanding signed with the UK Minister of State for Immigration have the status of international agreements. The text of each makes it clear that they simply reflect understandings between Ireland and the UK on such cooperation and they are not intended to create legally binding obligations, nor to create or confer rights, privileges or benefits on any persons or parties, private or public.
