Antarctic Treaty (Accession and Implementation) Bill 2026

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Ireland would be able to join the Antarctic Treaty system and give effect in Irish law to the main rules that protect Antarctica, especially the environmental protection protocol. It would set up the Foreign Affairs Minister as the lead minister, create a permit system for Irish people and companies doing work in Antarctica, and require environmental checks, waste controls, and emergency plans for activities there. It also gives inspectors powers to check compliance and allows penalties and permit changes where rules are breached.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to enable the state to accede to the Antarctic Treaty done at Washington on 1 December 1959 and to certain related instruments, including the protocol on environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty done at Madrid on 4 October 1991; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 20 March 2026