Vol. 492 No. 5
70 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has signed and ratified the 1990 United Nations international convention in relation to the protection of all migrant workers and members of their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14591/98]
Ireland has not signed and is not a party to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The current international position is that there are four signatories and nine states parties to the convention. It has not yet entered into force and remains open for signature. Ireland's position will be kept under review in the context of the ongoing assessment and prioritisation of Ireland's international commitments.
71 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has ratified or will ratify the United Nations convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or punishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14596/98]
Human rights are a priority for this Government. This priority is reflected, inter alia, in our commitment to ratify key international human rights instruments to which Ireland is not yet a party. Given the significance of this year for the observance and promotion of human rights, marking as it does the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is our intention to ratify the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment during the course of 1998.
In order to be in a position to give effect to the convention, it will be necessary, however, to introduce domestic legislation regarding the offence of mental torture. I have been advised that work is well advanced in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on this necessary legislation. Once this legislation has been passed into law, I will seek Dáil approval for ratification of this important human rights convention.
