Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland proposes to ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption. [30900/07]

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 October 2007. The Convention against Corruption 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 Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has arranged for his officials to undertake a detailed examination of the text of the Convention, in order to ascertain what, if any, changes to the domestic criminal and civil law and to administrative practice will be required in order for Ireland to ratify this Convention.

Following extensive consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, it has been concluded that Ireland largely fulfils the criminal justice requirements of the Convention either through existing anti-corruption statutes or via legislation that is in progress, such as the forthcoming Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill and the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Bill 2005.

A number of other issues in the civil and administrative area will also have to be addressed in advance of Ireland's ratification of the Convention. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is pursuing these matters with the relevant Departments and Agencies.