Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government proposes to ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption in the lifetime of this Government. [4330/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to previous replies to similar questions concerning the United Nations Convention against Corruption, most recently on 23 November 2006. The Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in October 2003 and was signed on behalf of Ireland, when it opened for signature, in December 2003. The Convention entered into force on 14 December 2005. My colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has lead responsibility in this area, and his officials, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, are currently examining the Convention. They have also undertaken consultations with other Departments and Agencies. While the majority of its provisions are catered for in existing legislation, some additional legislation will be required to enable Ireland to ratify the Convention. The first Conference of the States Parties to the Convention was held in Jordan in December 2006, one year after the Convention's entry into force. The purpose of this Conference was to improve the capacity of and cooperation between States Parties to achieve the Convention's objectives, and to promote and review its implementation. Ireland was represented by officials from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.