European Union member states were prominent in promoting this measure and were anxious that the terms of the convention be applied as far as possible at the earliest possible date. Accordingly, the application of TBT has been prohibited on European Union ships and ships entering EU ports as of 1 July 2003 in advance of entry into force of the convention. European Union member states have been urged to introduce the legislation necessary to ratify the convention as soon as possible. Ireland has consistently advocated a ban on anti-fouling systems to apply internationally as set out in the convention and should, accordingly, introduce the necessary legislation to enable the State to ratify it as soon as possible. The Bill fulfils this requirement.