asked the Minister or Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he is asking to enable Ireland to ratify the United Nations Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and when he expects the process of ratification in respect of each Covenant to be completed.
Written Answers. - United Nations Covenants.
223.
Consultations have been held between Departments concerned as to the steps which would be necessary for Ireland to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, and these are continuing.
As regards the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, I am advised that domestic legislation may be necessary, including that to which I have referred in reply to the Deputy's separate question on the Racial Discrimination Convention.
I hope that the necessary consultations about the requirements imposed by this convention will be completed shortly and that I will be in a position to make a recommendation to the Government at an early date as to whether we should ratify at that stage the question of accession to the Optional Protocol will also be considered.
As to the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, I am advised that we are already in a position to ratify and I am at present considering whether to propose to the Government that we do so. My preference, however, would be to defer the matter for a short time further as it would obviously be preferable, provided this is feasible and does not lead to undue delay, to take action on both covenants at the same time.