IRELAND TO RATIFY/ACCEDE TO REMAINING UN TERRORISM

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000801 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL KTFN PHUM PINS SUBJECT: IRELAND TO RATIFY/ACCEDE TO REMAINING UN TERRORISM CONVENTIONS REF: DUBLIN 310 On June 21, the GOI authorized Minister of Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern to arrange for Ireland to ratify/accede to the four UN conventions on terrorism to which Ireland is not yet party. In 1998 and 2001, respectively, Ireland signed the UN Conventions for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings and the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Ireland, however, did not have domestic legislation to enable their ratification or to accede to the UN Conventions for the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Internationally Protected Persons and Against the Taking of Hostages. (The window of opportunity has closed for signing the latter two conventions, which now require only accession). Per reftel, on March 9, Irish President Mary McAleese signed the Criminal Justice (Terrorism Offenses) Act 2005 into law, providing the legal framework necessary for ratifying/acceding to these remaining four UN conventions on terrorism. Ireland now has until July 5 to deposit the above instruments with the UN Secretary General's treaty office. These instruments will go SIPDIS into force 30 days after receipt by the treaty office, pursuant to terms of each convention, bringing Ireland in line with the UN's 12 conventions on terrorism. KENNY