Vol. 576 No. 5
396 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Ireland has not to date ratified the UN Protocol on Transnational Organised Crime, which was signed in December 2000; when it is intended to ratify the protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30010/03]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its three related protocols. It is expected that legislation to enable Ireland to ratify the convention, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons and the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air will be published during 2004.
In the case of the third related protocol, which is the protocol regarding the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, my Department is examining whether legislative or administrative changes are necessary to enable Ireland to accede to it.
