Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Deputies for their contribution to today's debate on the Bill and previously. I acknowledge how busy some of the Deputies have been with a number of current issues.

The Bill will give effect to the statute of the International Criminal Court, which entered into force on 1 July 2002. The statute provides for the establishment of an International Criminal Court with jurisdiction to investigate, prosecute and punish persons who commit the most serious offences of concern to the international community, namely, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Bill enables Ireland to fulfil the obligation under the statute to prosecute these offences domestically and provide assistance to the court in the investigation and prosecution of cases taken by the court. The Bill creates new offences of war crimes and crimes against humanity and consolidates the existing offence of genocide under the Genocide Act 1973. It will allow the State to assist the court through providing accelerated mechanisms for the arrest and surrender of persons wanted in connection with an ICC offence, dealing with requests for the freezing and confiscation of property and providing evidence during the investigation. I thank Deputies for their co-operation in dealing with the Bill.

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