Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
103. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 27 January 2022, if the March 2022 deadline was met for the submission of proposals for the analysis of accession to the Antarctic Treaty System; the progress that has been made since; the expected timelines for future decisions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI updated the House on the question of Ireland’s accession to the Antarctic Treaty System on 27 January 2022.
In line with public procurement rules, a suitably qualified and experienced person was contracted by the Department of Foreign Affairs on 18 February 2022 to carry out a detailed assessment of the administrative, policy and legislative requirements for accession to the Antarctic Treaty System.
A report outlining the range of administrative, policy and legislative requirements has been prepared by this individual, and was submitted to my Department on 13 April 2022. It is currently under review within the Department, and I look forward to providing an outline of the main elements to Cabinet in the coming weeks.
As indicated previously, this report will form the basis for subsequent work with other relevant Government Departments. Following review of the report, officials from my department will establish a timeline for consultation with the relevant departments, and formulation of a consolidated, cross-departmental recommendation for consideration by Government on the question of accession to the Antarctic Treaty System.
I look forward to providing further updates on this process in the months ahead.
