Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 1995

Vol. 455 No. 2

Written Answers. - International Treaties and Conventions.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

123 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the international treaties and conventions he intends to sign; the number that have been signed; the number that have been signed but not ratified; the number signed which have been ratified but have not been put into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12009/95]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:

1. International treaties and conventions which it is intended to sign in the near future:

—Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds.

The agreement has been drawn up under th auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the Bonn Convention).

2. International treaties and conventions which have been signed, ratified and put into force:

—The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Berne Convention) — ratified in April 1982;

—The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention) — ratified in August 1983;

—Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitats (Ramsar Convention) — ratified in November 1984;

—The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling — ratified in January 1985;

—Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (the Bonn Convention) — ratified in June 1995.

3. International treaties which have been signed but not ratified:

—Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) — signed in 1974. The provisions of the Convention have been implemented by EU Directive 3626/82 which is being amended at present;

—The Convention on Biological Diversity — signed June 1992;

—Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe — signed October 1985;

—Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage of Europe — signed January 1992;

—Unidroit Convention on the international return of stolen or illegally exported cultural objects — signed June 1995.

Appropriate measures are being taken to ensure that these conventions are ratified at the earliest possible date.

4. International treaties and conventions which have been ratified but not put into force:

—None.

It has yet to be decided if Ireland will sign the Council of Europe Convention on Transfrontier Television.

Faoi mar a chuir mé in iúl i bhfreagra ar Cheist Dála Uimh. 37 den 31 Bealtaine 1995, ní foláir an cheist maidir le Cairt Chomhairle na hEorpa do theangacha Réigiúnda agus Mionlaigh a shíniú a mheas go gcúramach i gcomhthéacs na ceiste faoi stádas na Gaeilge san Aontas Eorpach sa todhchaí.