Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position with regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families; if the Government intends to sign and ratify the international convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35349/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1990, and it entered into force on 1 July 2003, following ratification by the requisite number of states, 20. The convention has been open for signature and ratification since December 1990. However, to date only 34 states have ratified it. No European Union member state has as yet signed or ratified the convention, nor has any indicated an intention to do so.

The Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families has been examined by my Department. It would appear that, in order for Ireland to ratify the convention, significant changes would have to be made across a wide range of existing legislation, including legislation addressing employment, social welfare provision, education, taxation and electoral law. These changes would also have implications for our EU commitments. The operation of the common travel area between Ireland and the UK might also possibly be affected. The Government has, therefore, no plans to sign the convention.

It should also be noted that the rights of migrant workers and their families are already protected under existing national legislation and under the Irish Constitution, as well as under EU law. In addition, the rights of migrant workers and their families are also addressed by Ireland's commitments under international human rights instruments to which the State is already a party. These international instruments include, for example, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.