As requested, I am providing the Deputy with an itemised list of all international treaties and conventions which the State has signed, but not ratified, in tabular form. The list has been prepared according to the information available to my Department and aims to be as comprehensive as possible. The purpose of the agreements is indicated by the title in most cases and further information is either publicly available or can be made available by my Department should it be required.
- 17 Multilateral agreements for which the UN Secretary-General is the depository;
- 7 Bilateral agreements.
The two-step process whereby a state will first sign an international agreement subject to ratification or some other form of approval, such as an exchange of notes informing of completion of the necessary internal procedures, is the usual manner in which international agreements are concluded. This interval permits states to take whatever legislative or administrative measures are required to fulfil obligations assumed under the agreement. The signing of an agreement may be an important demonstration of a state’s support for it, pending its ratification when in a position to do so. Whilst a state is not bound by an agreement which it has signed but not ratified, it is obliged to refrain from acts that would defeat its object and purpose. The alternative would be to refrain from signing the agreement at all, which may be interpreted as a lack of support for the agreement. In this regard, there is nothing unusual, or wrong in principle, in having some time period between signature and ratification, and the length of time required may depend on the complexities of the particular issues involved.
As the Deputy will be aware, Article 29.6 of the Constitution provides that international agreements do not form part of the domestic law of the State unless the Oireachtas so provides through the enactment of legislation. This is what is known as a “dualist” approach to international agreements. In contrast, for some states, ratification of an international agreement automatically incorporates the terms of that agreement into its domestic law. Such states may be in a position to ratify agreements more quickly than dualist states such as Ireland. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I have an important role in relation to all international agreements entered into by Ireland. Before a treaty may be signed, ratified or acceded to, it is necessary to obtain an authorising Government Decision. As the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 designates the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade as the Minister responsible for external relations, all Memoranda for the Government concerning international agreements (other than International Labour Organisation Conventions) are brought by me, irrespective of their substantive content. Where the agreement is the functional responsibility of another Department, as is usually the case, the Memorandum is brought by me on behalf of the relevant Minister.
Therefore, while my Department has a central role in relation to signing and ratifying international agreements, it is often the case that the necessary legislative or administrative measures required to implement them are for the line Department responsible for the subject matter of the agreement. Line Departments, in taking steps to ratify an agreement, will consult with my Department as the ratification process develops to ensure that important procedural steps are followed.
My Department lays all international agreements before this House after they enter into force for Ireland and annually publishes all such agreements in the Irish Treaty Series, which is available on the Department’s website. A notice of all agreements laid before the Dáil is also published in Iris Oifigiúil. In addition, a list of the international agreements which have been signed but not ratified by Ireland is published on the Department’s website and updated annually.
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Number
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Date Signed
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1.
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Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, done on 12 November 2012
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Signed by Ireland on 20 December 2013
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2.
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Minamata Convention on Mercury, done on 19 January 2013
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Signed by Ireland on 10 October 2013
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3.
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Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, done on 10 December 2008
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Signed by Ireland on 23 March 2012
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4.
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Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity, done on 29 October 2010
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Signed by Ireland on 1 February 2012
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5.
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Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, done on 18 December 2002
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Signed by Ireland on 2 October 2007
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6.
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Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, done on 13 December 2006
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Signed by Ireland on 30 March 2007
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7.
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International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, done on 20 December 2006
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Signed by Ireland on 27 March 2007
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8.
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International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, done on 13 April 2005
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Signed by Ireland on 19 September 2005
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9.
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Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, done on 21 May 2003
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Signed by Ireland on 21 May 2003
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10.
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Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, done on 15 November 2000
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Signed by Ireland on 13 December 2000
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11.
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Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, done on 25 May 2000
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Signed by Ireland on 7 September 2000
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12.
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Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution to abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground Level Ozone, done on 30 November 1999
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Signed by Ireland on 1 December 1999
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13.
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Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants, done on 24 June 1998
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Signed by Ireland on 24 June 1998
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14.
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Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Lang-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Heavy Metals, done on 24 June 1998
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Signed by Ireland on 24 June 1998
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15.
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Agreement concerning the Adoption of Uniform Conditions for Periodical Technical Inspections of Wheeled Vehicles and the Reciprocal Recognition of such Inspections, done on 13 November 1997
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Signed by Ireland on 13 November 1997
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16.
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Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes, done on 24 April 1963
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Signed by Ireland on 24 April 1963
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17.
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Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes, done on 18 April 1961
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Signed by Ireland on 18 April 1961
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Number
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-
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Date Signed
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1.
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Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, done on 11 May 2011
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Signed by Ireland on 5 November 2015
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2.
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Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs, done on 25 March 2015
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Signed by Ireland on 5 October 2015
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3.
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Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, done on 16 May 2005
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Signed by Ireland on 3 October 2008
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4.
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Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, done on 25 October 2007
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Signed by Ireland on 25 October 2007
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5.
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Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, done on 15 May 2003
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Signed by Ireland on 15 May 2003
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6.
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Convention on Cybercrime, done on 23 November 2001
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Signed by Ireland on 28 February 2002
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7.
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Additional Protocol to the European Agreement on the Transmission of Applications for Legal Aid, done on 4 October 2001
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Signed by Ireland on 5 October 2001
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8.
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Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, done on 4 November 2000
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Signed by Ireland on 4 November 2000
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9.
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Civil Law Convention on Corruption, done on 4 November 1999
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Signed by Ireland on 4 November 1999
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10.
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European Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights, done on 25 January 1996
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Signed by Ireland on 25 January 1996
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11.
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European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes, done on 18 March 1986
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Signed by Ireland on 6 December 1990
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12.
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European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sports Events and in particular at Football Matches, done on 19 August 1985
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Signed by Ireland on 3 November 1986
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13.
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European Convention on Social Security, done on 14 December 1972
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Signed by Ireland on 23 February 1979
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14.
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Supplementary Agreement for the Application of the European Convention on Social Security, done on 14 December 1972
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Signed by Ireland on 23 February 1979
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15.
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European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals, done on 28 June 1978
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Signed by Ireland on 28 June 1978
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16.
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Convention relating to Stops on Bearer Securities in International Circulation, done on 28 May 1970
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Signed by Ireland on 23 April 1974
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17.
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European Agreement on the Protection of Television Broadcasts, done on 22 June 1960
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Signed by Ireland on 22 June 1960
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19.
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European Convention for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, done on 29 April 1957
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Signed by Ireland on 29 April 1957
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Number
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-
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Date Signed
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1.
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Protocol of Accession to the Trade Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Colombia and Peru, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Ecuador, done on 11 November 2016
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Signed by Ireland 11 November 2016
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2.
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Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Canada, of the other part, done on 30 October 2016
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Signed by Ireland on30 October 2016
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3.
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Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and, Canada of the other part, done on 30 October 2016
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Signed by Ireland on30 October 2016
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4.
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Agreement establishing the EU-LAC International Foundation, done on 25 October 2016
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Signed by Ireland on 25 October 2016
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5.
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Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member State, of the one part, and Australia, of the other part, done on 5 October 2016
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Signed by Ireland on5 October 2016
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6.
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Partnership Agreement on relations and cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and New Zealand, of the other part
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Signed by Ireland on5 October 2016
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7.
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Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part, done on 21 December 2015
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Signed by Ireland on 21 December 2015
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8.
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Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Government of the State of Israel, of the other part, done on 10 June 2013
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Signed by Ireland on 10 June 2013
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9.
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Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Mongolia, of the other part, done on 30 April2013
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Signed by Ireland on 30 April2013
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10.
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Agreement on a Unified Patent Court, done on 19 February 2013
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Signed by Ireland on 19 February 2013
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11.
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Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of the Philippines, of the other part, done on 11 July 2012
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Signed by Ireland on 11 July 2012
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12.
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Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Iraq, of the other part, done on 11 May 2012
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Signed by Ireland on 11 May 2012
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13.
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Interim Agreement establishing a framework for an Economic Partnership Agreement between the Eastern and Southern Africa States, on the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, on the other part, done on 29 August 2009
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Signed by Ireland on 30 June 2009
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14.
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Convention on centralised customs clearance, concerning the allocation of national collection costs retained when traditional own resources are made available to the EU budget, done on 10 March 2009
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Signed by Ireland on 10 March 2009
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15.
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Convention on the Accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the Convention on the Law applicable to Contractual Obligations, opened for signature in Rome on 19 June 1980, and to the First and Second Protocols on its interpretation by the Court of Justice of the European Communities, done on 14 April 2005
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Signed by Ireland on 14 April 2005
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16.
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Decision of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the privileges and immunities granted to the European Defence Agency and to its staff members, done on 10 November 2004
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Signed by Ireland on 10 November 2004
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17.
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Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, to combat fraud and any other illegal activity to the detriment of their financial interests, done on 26 October 2004
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Signed by Ireland on 26 October 2004
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18.
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Agreement between the Member States of the European Union concerning claims introduced by each Member State against any other Member State for damage to any property owned, used or operated by it or injury or death suffered by any military or civilian staff of its services, in the context of an EU crisis management operation, done on 28 April 2004
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Signed by Ireland on 28 April 2004
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19.
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Agreement between the EU Member States concerning the status of military and civilianstaff on secondment to the Military Staff of the European Union, of the headquarters and forces which may be made available to the European Union in the context of the preparation and execution of the tasks referred to in Article 17(2) of the Treaty on European Union, including exercises, and of the military and civilian staff of the Member States put at the disposal of the European Union to act in this context(EU SOFA), done on 17 November 2003
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Signed by Ireland on 17 November 2003
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20.
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Protocol, established by the Council in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on European Union, to the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union, done on 16 October 2001
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Signed by Ireland on 16 October 2001
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21.
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Decision of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States on the privileges and immunities granted to the European Union Institute for Security Studies and the European Union Satellite Centre, and to their bodies and staff members, done on 15 October 2001
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Signed by Ireland on 15 October 2001
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22.
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Convention, established by the Council in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on the European Union, on mutual assistance in criminal matters between the Member States of the European Union, done on 29 May 2000
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Signed by Ireland on 29 May 2000
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23.
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First Protocol on the interpretation by the Court of Justice of the European Communities of the Convention on the law applicable to contractual obligations, opened for signature in Rome on 19 June 1980, done on 19 December 1988
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Signed by Ireland on 19 December 1988
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Number
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-
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Date Signed
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1.
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Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled
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Signed by Ireland on 20 June 2014
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2.
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Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances
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Signed by Ireland on 19 June 2013
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3.
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Hague Convention on the International Protection of Adults, done on 13 January 2000
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Signed by Ireland on 18 September 2008
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4.
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Universal Postal Union Convention and Final Protocol, done on 12 August 2008
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Signed by Ireland on 12 August 2008
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5.
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First Additional Protocol to the General Regulations (Universal Postal Union), done on 12 August 2008
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Signed by Ireland on 12 August 2008
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6.
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8th Additional Protocol to the Universal Postal Union Constitution, done on 12 August 2008
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Signed by Ireland on 12 August 2008
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7.
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Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (Protocol III), done on 8 December 2005
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Signed by Ireland on 20 June 2006
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8.
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Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, done on 14 May 1954
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Signed by Ireland on 14 May 1954
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