Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We had a discussion on this on Committee Stage. It is not just about parliamentary convention but as the Deputy knows, it has arisen from important practical reasons, such as the need to take cognisance and make necessary administrative and other arrangements before an Act can be properly implemented. In the present case, Defence Forces training manuals must be adapted to take account of the State's new obligations under the convention on cluster munitions. That convention is not yet in force and Article 17 provides it will enter into force only six months after the 30th instrument of ratification has been deposited.

It is my intention to commence most parts of the Bill straight away, namely Part 1, preliminary and general; Part 3, anti-personnel mines; Part 4, investment of public moneys; and Part 5, penalties and miscellaneous provisions. I also intend to commence Part 2, cluster munitions, as soon as possible. It is the Government's intention that we should ratify the convention immediately after it has been signed on behalf of Ireland in Oslo on 3 December, making us one of the first countries in the world to ratify it, a clear demonstration of our commitment to early entry into force of the convention. However, entry into force will only take place six months after the 30th instrument of ratification has been deposited, so we will be doing everything possible to encourage as many states to ratify it as soon as possible.

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