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International Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Ceisteanna (97)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

97. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the support that Ireland is providing to the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22917/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established as the first permanent international court to end impunity for the perpetrators of international crimes. The Court was established in 2002 with the entry into force of the Rome Statute.  By its very existence the Court not only promotes and upholds the rule of law but also provides a means of bringing to account the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. In this way it contributes in a fundamental way to the cause of international peace and justice. 

Ireland has been, and continues to be, a consistent and strong supporter of the ICC. We will continue to publicly support and promote the Court in all relevant international fora, including throughout the remainder of our term on the United Nations Security Council.  

In addition to political support for the Court, Ireland strongly believes that the ICC should have sufficient resources to deliver upon its unique and important mandate. The ICC is funded mainly by means of annual assessed contributions made by the States Parties to the Rome Statute, determined every year at the Assembly of States Parties.  The total annual budget of the Court for 2022 is just under €155 million, of which Ireland’s assessed contribution is approximately €1.2 million.  Ireland has consistently promoted a budget for the Court that is sufficient to meet the many demands placed upon it, and the recently commenced investigation into the situation in Ukraine will considerably increase those demands over coming years.

Some of the Court’s work is also supported by voluntary trust funds established for specific purposes.  These include the Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries, the Trust Fund for Victims and the Office of the Prosecutor’s Trust Fund for Advanced Technology and Specialized Capacity.

On 14 April, during my trip to Kyiv and Bucha in Ukraine, I announced that Ireland will make a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the ICC, with €1 million to be distributed immediately to the Office of the Prosecutor’s Trust Fund. This funding will benefit the Prosecutor’s work in all situation countries, not just Ukraine.

Ireland further believes that supporting victims is a critical part of implementing the Rome Statute and ensuring accountability. The ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims was established to respond to the harm resulting from the crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court. Ireland will provide a voluntary contribution of €200,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims in 2022, to be split equally between its reparations and assistance mandates. This brings the total contribution of Ireland to the Trust Fund for Victims to over €1.7 million since 2004.

Finally, mindful that the ICC is the world’s first permanent international criminal court, participation by all States is necessary to achieve the universality of the Rome Statute. Ireland has provided a voluntary contribution of €10,000 to the Trust Fund for Least Developed Countries for 2022. This trust fund provides financial assistance to enable delegates from the least developed countries and other developing states to attend the annual session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute.

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