Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
86. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to ratify the third Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure which would enable children and their families to make complaints to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. [56774/12]
View answerThe third Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was opened for signature by member states in February 2012. I have previously stated that it was my intention to sign the protocol on behalf of Ireland as soon as possible. My Department is currently finalising the State's combined 3rd and 4th Reports to the UN Committee on the Reports of the Child. This is the first report to be submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in over five years.
Once the report is finalised and submitted to the UN Committee it would be my intention to sign the third Optional Protocol in due course on behalf of Ireland. Ratification would generally take place some time after that, once the State is satisfied that the necessary legislative and administrative procedures are in place to enable full compliance. This matter will be assessed by the legal unit of my Department in due course.
