Nora Owen
Ceist:71 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland intends to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly in November 1989.
Written Answers. - UN Convention on Child Rights.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:72 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed by the Irish Government to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; if he will outline the procedures involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by consensus at the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989. The convention codifies and develops international norms applicable to children, and reflects a broad consensus on the obligations of families, society and the international community towards children. In accordance with the usual procedure, the Government have set in train a full examination of the legislative and other steps which might be necessary to enable Ireland to sign and then ratify the convention. On the completion of this process I shall be recommending that the Government proceed with the ratification of the convention.