Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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141. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the UNCRC Second Optional Protocol will be ratified before the summer recess (details supplied); and if he will provide an assurance that Ireland will finally ratify this world-renowned child protection convention before the end of 2025. [38102/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is firmly committed to ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Ireland signed the Second Optional Protocol in 2000, and the Government is committed to taking the further step of ratifying it as soon as possible. In Irish treaty practice, the State must be in a position to meet the obligations it assumes under the terms of an international agreement from the moment it enters into force. Often it will not be possible for the State to meet these obligations without first taking steps required by domestic law, or otherwise, enabling it to do so.

Following consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 were significant steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 (Act 28 of 2024) was signed into law on 17 July 2024, which amends the Sexual Offences (Jurisdiction) Act 1996 and the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008; and provides for related matters, for the purposes of giving effect to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Ireland is almost ready to ratify following the introduction of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024.

Officials in my Department have met with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to advance this matter, and to ensure readiness across all relevant departments, with the aim of progressing ratification of the Optional Protocol in 2025. My Department is currently engaging with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure that all relevant legislative provisions have been made to proceed with ratification.