Trevor Sargent
Ceist:45 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance when Ireland will ratify the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species.
Written Answers. - Convention Ratification.
I am unable to give the Deputy a precise date for ratification, but Ireland does intend to ratify the convention at the earliest opportunity. The matter is currently with the Attorney General who is examining the legal implications of the issue.
The Deputy may be aware that Ireland has signed the convention subject to ratification.
Furthermore, the terms of the convention have been observed by Ireland since 1982 when CITES was brought into force for the European Community under EC Regulation 3626/82.