US embassy cable - 05DUBLIN801

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