IRELAND PASSES TWO CONVENTIONS; FOUR MORE TO GO

UNCLAS DUBLIN 001831

SIPDIS

S/CT
IO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL KTFN
SUBJECT: IRELAND PASSES TWO CONVENTIONS; FOUR MORE TO GO

REF: STATE 269653


1. On December 21, Emboff delivered reftel points to First
Secretary, Maurice Biggar, UN Desk, at the DFA. On December

SIPDIS
9, Ireland became party to the Convention for the Suppression
of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation
and the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against
the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental
Shelf (reftel points D and E).


2. According to Biggar, and other contacts at DFA and
Department of Justice, passing new anti-terrorism legislation
and adopting the remaining four UN Conventions against
terrorism are high priorities for the GOI. In 2002, the GOI
introduced legislation, the Criminal Justice (Terrorist
Offences) Bill, that would pave the way for Ireland's
accession to all 12 counter-terrorism Conventions. This Bill
passed through the Irish Parliament's Lower House in December
2004, and the Upper House will vote on it in early February

2005. The President is expected to sign this Bill into law.


3. Once this legislation is signed, according to Biggar, the
GOI will take the decision to accede to the four remaining
Conventions. Note: Per Irish law, any international treaty
that results in charges on public funds must meet approval of
the Irish Parliament. End Note. Biggar expects the Lower
House to approve the terms of the Conventions and then submit
a "motion of approval" to either the Minister of Justice or
Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister will then draw up
the instruments of accession. Biggar expects that the four
remaining Conventions will be submitted simultaneously after
passing the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill. The
process usually takes 90 days once the "motion of approval"
is passed by the Parliament.
KENNY