Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 2

Written Answers. - Rome Convention.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

122 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all European Union countries have yet ratified and enacted the domestic legislation required to bring into operation the Rome Convention with regard to the Maintenance Act, 1994, and the provisions contained within it relating to the reciprocal enforcement of maintenance orders by European Union member states under the Rome Convention; and if the Rome Convention is yet applicable as between this State and any other European Union member state with regard to the reciprocal enforcement and making of maintenance orders. [17544/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

It is my information that not all member states of the European Union have ratified this convention. There are at present in existence reciprocal arrangements for the enforcement of maintenance orders as between all member states of the European Union – including Ireland – as each is a party to the United Nations Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance. Effect is given to that convention in Irish law by the Maintenance Act, 1994. In addition, reciprocal arrangements exist between the State and the United Kingdom under the Maintenance Orders Act, 1974. That being the case, the need for further bilateral reciprocal arrangements does not arise.