Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 1

Written Answers. - International Multilateral Agreements.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

181 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposed international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department being negotiated or prepared; the international organisation, if any, in each case through whose machinery the agreement is being negotiated; if it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement if adopted; if so, if legislation will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13187/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

182 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department which have not been signed by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; if it is proposed to sign the agreement; if so, when; if legislation is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13202/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

183 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the international multilateral agreements under the auspices of his Department which have been signed but not ratified or acceded to by the State; the date and place it was opened for signature in each case; the international organisation, if any, through whose machinery the agreement was negotiated; if it is proposed to ratify or accede to the agreement; if so, when; if legislation is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13217/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 183, inclusive, together.

The information requested is set out in the following tables:

International Agreements under negotiation:

Agreement	International Organisation	Proposed Action
Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity	United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)	Signature of these agreements, including possible legislative requirements, will be considered on completion of the negotiations
Draft Protocol on Nox, SO2, Ammonia and VOCs to the Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution	UN/ECE
Instrument for implementing international action on certain persistent organic pollutants (POPs)	UNEP

International Agreements signed but not ratified

Agreement	Date and Place Opened for Signature	International Organisation	Proposed Action
Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo)	25 February 1991Espoo, Finland	UN/ECE	It is intended to ratify in 1999. Secondary legislation will be required.
European Charter of Local Self Government	15 October 1985Strasbourg	Council of Europe	It is intended to ratify. Dail approval to ratification will be sought as part of the renewal programme for Local Government.
Agreement concerning the adoption of Uniform conditions for Periodical Technical Inspections of Wheeled Vehicles and the Reciprocal Recognition of Such Inspections	13 November 1997Vienna	UN/ECE	Ratification and necessary legislation (if any) under consideration.
Protocol (Kyoto) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change	16 March 1998New York	United Nations	Arrangements for ratification will be made in conjunction with ratification by the EU and its member states. Need for legislation is under consideration.
Draft Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants to the Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution	25 June 1998Aarhus	UN/ECE	Ratification and necessary legislation (if any) under consideration.
Draft Protocol on Heavy Metals to the Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution	25 June 1998Aarhus	UN/ECE	Ratification and necessary legislation (if any) under consideration.
Convention on Access to Environmental Information and Public Participation in Environmental Decision-making	25 June 1998Aarhus	UN/ECE	Ratification and necessary legislation (if any) under consideration.
Montreal Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer	Signature was not required	UNEP	Ratification and necessary legislation (if any) under consideration.

International Agreements not signed

Agreement	Date and Place Opened for Signature	International Organisation	Proposed Action
Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes	17 March 1992Helsinki	UN/ECE	It is intended to sign. The need for legislation is under consideration.
Agreement	Date and Place Opened for Signature	International Organisation	Proposed Action
Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution concerning the control of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or their transboundary fluxes	18 November 1991New York	UN/ECE	Signature is contingent on the implementation of a number of EU Directives in relation to VOCs.Assessment of any additional legislative requirements will be undertaken.
Convention on Civil Liability for Damage resulting from activities dangerous to the environment.	21 June 1993Lugano	Council of Europe	While there are no current proposals for Irish participation, the matter is being kept under review.

I am aware of a number of other international agreements (1949-75), primarily in the road traffic area, in which Ireland has not participated.