Vol. 475 No. 2
107 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice if she intends changing the laws relating to extradition in order to make it easier for the Garda authorities to apply for extradition of persons suspected of rape and other serious crimes affecting the person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4649/97]
The arrangements by which an extradition request may be made for a person to be extradited to Ireland for prosecution or punishment are governed by international agreements concluded with other countries in accordance with the Extradition Acts 1965-1994. Apart from the arrangements with the United Kingdom in relation to endorsement and execution of warrants provided in Part III of the Extradition Act, 1965, the principal international extradition agreement in this respect is the 1957 European Convention on Extradition.
Two new EU conventions have been concluded recently in order to facilitate and improve, as between member states of the European Union, on the extradition arrangements provided for in the European Convention. The first of these, the EU Convention on simplified procedures was formally adopted on 10 March 1995. This convention deals with the procedures which will apply where a person consents to extradition. The second convention, the EU Convention relating to Extradition was formally adopted on 27 September, 1996. This convention improves and simplifies extradition arrangements between member states. Legislation will be necessary to enable Ireland to ratify the two new conventions. The appropriate legislation will be introduced as soon as possible.
