Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

We have to take that into account the need for all the necessary requirements under the convention to be met. We hold to the legal tradition of not ratifying treaties until it is considered that domestic law in general is in conformity with them. While Ireland has not ratified the convention, that does not mean progress is not being made in meeting the requirements. It means that when we ratify it, the process of implementing its provisions will be enhanced. That is the way in which we will proceed.

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