US embassy cable - 04DUBLIN1831

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