Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - UN Conventions.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

65 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the UN agreements which Ireland has signed or ratified since 31 December 1995; and the agreements which are awaiting signature or ratification. [20020/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Since 31 December 1995, Ireland has signed or ratified the following nine UN agreements;

1.	Food Aid Convention.	Ratified on 15 March 1996.
2.	Convention on Biological Diversity.	Ratified on 22 March 1996.
3.	Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.	Ratified on 16 April 1996
4.	International Tropical Timber Agreement	Signed on 14 May 1996.
5.	UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. (Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the Convention)	Ratified on 21 June 1996.
6.	Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction.	Ratified on 24 June 1996.
7.	Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 12 December, 1982, relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.	Ratified on 27 June 1996.
8.	Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.	Ratified on 22 August 1996.
9.	Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.	Signed on 24 September, 1996.

The position with regard to other UN agreements currently under consideration for either signature or ratification and for which my Department has sole or primary responsibility is as follows:

1.	Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.	Awaiting signature.
2.	Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organisations or between International Organisations.	Awaiting signature.
3.	International Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.	Awaiting Accession.
4.	Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.	Awaiting Ratification.
5.	Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.	Awaiting Ratification.
6.	International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Radical Discrimination.	Awaiting Ratification.
7.	Convention to Combat Desertification	Awaiting Ratification.

I would also refer the Deputy to the compendium produced by the UN Publications Office listing all multilateral treaties and their status. I will arrange for the latest copy of this to be placed in the Oireachtas Library.