Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of international instruments, such as agreements, conventions, protocols and implementation procedures, initiated at either UN, Council of Europe or elsewhere that are awaiting ratification and implementation by the Government; the date of signature or adoption by the international institution involved; the lead Department with responsibility for implementation within the Government in each case; the position in relation to signature, ratification or implementation; and the measures he proposes to take in the national interest to eliminate the backlog which exists. [20235/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there are a large number of international agreements within the UN and Council of Europe frameworks, covering a very wide range of subjects and falling within the functional responsibility of a number of Departments. The question of ratification of these agreements is kept under review in the context of the ongoing assessment and prioritisation of Ireland's international commitments.

A list of the international agreements within the UN and Council of Europe frameworks which have been signed but not ratified by Ireland (apart from those which have been superseded by subsequent agreements) is set out below, indicating the lead Government Department with responsibility in each case.