Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland will ratify and implement the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. [19712/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Convention was opened for signature on 9 December 2003 and was signed by Ireland on that date. It entered into force on 14 December, 2005. In April of 2005 the European Commission advised that, as parts of the Convention are matters of exclusive Community competence, Member States could not ratify it until the Community had done so. The European Community signed the Convention on 15 September 2005.

My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who has lead responsibility in this area, has instructed his officials to examine the Convention with a view to identifying the necessary legislation which will be required to allow Ireland to ratify it. This examination involves consultation also with the Attorney General's Office. It is envisaged that this exercise will be completed in the near future and that drafting of the necessary legislation will commence thereafter.