Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he will ratify the Antarctic Treaty. [15268/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The question of Ireland's possible accession to the Antarctic Treaty System is under consideration in those Government Departments which have responsibility for the areas covered by the Antarctic Treaties. A Government Decision of 9 June 2010 authorised the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and the other relevant Ministers to conduct preparatory work on this issue. A process of inter-departmental consultation, chaired by my Department, is continuing. This includes an assessment of the legislative implications of accession; it is apparent that these could be significant.

As a complement to the preparatory work underway, a seminar on the Antarctic Treaty System was hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with the Norwegian Embassy in Dublin, on 25 May 2011. The seminar was attended by relevant Government Departments and also benefited from the participation of the Shackleton Society. The seminar was addressed by Norwegian experts in this area, who shared Norway's experience as a founder member of the Antarctic Treaty System.