Written answers

Thursday, 28 February 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

International Agreements

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 20 February 2013, in relation to outstanding ratification of international agreements, the Department that is leading on identifying the legislative or administrative measures necessary for the State to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10757/13]

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 20 February 2013, in relation to outstanding ratification of international agreements, his views on the legislative or administrative measures identified by his Department as necessary for the State to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10758/13]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the lead Department on the signature and ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The Government decided to proceed with Ireland’s signature of the Optional Protocol in February 2012 and this took place on 23 March 2012. Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a separate step, which will be preceded by a thorough screening of the obligations to be assumed. This will require extensive consultation with all Departments involved and consideration by the Government in due course. On 5 February 2013, Uruguay became the tenth country to ratify the Optional Protocol and, as a result, it will enter into force on 5 May 2013, three months after the deposit with the United Nations Secretary General of Uruguay’s instrument of ratification.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.