Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I will be brief given that the Bill is technical and my knowledge of the subject matter is limited. The legislation amends the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, which was introduced to give effect to the ratification by Ireland in 1967 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963. The purpose of the principal Act was to allow diplomats to perform their duties by giving them immunity.

As members of the European Union, we must conduct our business in the context of the globalisation process. For this reason, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations needed to be revisited. The Bill inserts a clear statement of guiding principles and policies into Part VIII of the principal Act of 1967. I am pleased we were alerted to the necessity to make this change.

Given the technical nature of the legislation, it may be necessary to hold a wider debate on the need to change the legislation. Perhaps the Minister of State would attend the House to engage in a discussion on diplomatic immunity against the background of EU enlargement. I welcome the amending legislation.