Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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1014. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the progress of the State ratifying optional protocols 2 and 3 to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34394/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has signed but not yet ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the rights of the child on the sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. It is my intention to progress to ratification in due course, once I am satisfied that the State will be able to meet all its obligations therein. I discussed the issue of ratification of this Protocol in a meeting with the UN Special Representative on Violence against Children, which took place on 11th June 2012, during the Special Representative's official visit to Ireland. We agreed that the matter would be prioritised in due course following completion of my Department's work on the Children's Referendum, submission of the State's next report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the setting up of the new Child and Family Agency.

The criminal law elements of the Optional Protocol have largely been implemented by the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 and the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008. Legislative proposals to further protect children against sexual exploitation are at an advanced stage of preparation. The Minister for Justice and Equality expects to bring these legislative proposals to Government shortly. It is also proposed to put in place the necessary administrative procedures and arrangements to allow for accession and, subject to the advice of the Attorney General's Office, it is proposed to ratify the Optional Protocol as soon as is practicable.

I have previously stated that it was my intention to sign the Third Optional Protocol on behalf of Ireland as soon as possible. My Department now has finalised and submitted to Government for approval the State's combined 3rd and 4th Reports to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child . Subject to Government approval the report will be submitted to the UN Committee. I expect to consult with other Government departments shortly and seek the approval of the Government to the signing of the third Optional Protocol on behalf of Ireland. Ratification would generally take place some time after that, once the State is satisfied that the necessary legislative and administrative procedures are in place to enable full compliance. This matter will be assessed by my Department in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and other Government departments.