Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 3

Written Answers. - International Criminal Court.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

39 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position in relation to the referendum needed for ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22352/00]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

72 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in the ratification of the Rome Statute, on which agreement was reached over two years ago, to establish the International Criminal Court. [22368/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 72 together.

The Statute of the International Criminal Court was concluded at Rome on 17 July 1998 and was signed, subject to ratification, by Ireland on 7 October 1998. It will enter into force approximately two months after 60 states have become party to it. My information is that, to date, 114 states have signed the Statute and, of these, 21 have ratified it.

An amendment to the Constitution is required to permit the State to ratify the Statute and, in this regard, I have asked the chairman of the Government legislation committee to arrange for the draft Bill containing a proposal for such an amendment to be given priority in the Government's legislation programme.

In connection with the actual ratification process itself, apart from the need to amend the Constitution and, therefore, the need for a referendum approving such an amendment, an in-depth analysis of the Statute by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform together with my Department, the office of the Attorney General and other appropriate bodies will also be necessary to determine the exact legislative and administrative measures which may need to be adopted in order for Ireland to be in a position to meet its obligations under the Statute.

Ireland continues to be represented at all ongoing preparatory commission meetings of the ICC whose purpose is to deal with matters necessary for the effective operation of the court when the Statute enters into force.

While I am currently not in a position to give a precise indication as to the timeframe within which the necessary measures will be adopted, I assure the Deputy that the prompt ratification of the Statute will continue to be given a high priority by my Department.