asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he considers it desirable that Ireland now ratify the United Nations covenants on human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

13.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he considers it desirable that Ireland should now ratify the convention on racial discrimination, 1965; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together. I wish to reiterate the Government's commitment to consider the ratification of these instruments. However, I am anxious to ensure that our domestic legislation should enable us to comply fully with the provisions of the covenants and the convention and to fulfil commitments arising out of them. A detailed examination of our domestic legislation is currently taking place in order to enable Ireland to be in a position to ratify the covenants and the convention as soon as possible.

When is it envisaged that the review of our domestic legislation will have been completed?

I cannot answer that at present but I can assure the Deputy that the review is actively under way with a view to deciding what areas of domestic legislation have to be drafted because the Government are anxious that this long-standing matter should be brought to a conclusion.

Would the Minister confirm that the principal obstruction to the ratification of the conventions is within the Department of Justice, indeed with the Minister for Justice?

There have been divided views between the two Departments and this was already made clear in a reply to a Dáil question some time ago. There are differing views as to whether amending domestic legislation is necessary first, and the view is now prevailing that it is necessary. Examination with a view to drafting the necessary Bill is under way.

Would the Minister not give the House some commitment as to when there will be a conclusion to these deliberations and when the conventions could be ratified and brought before the House?

It is extremely difficult to put a certain date on an exercise involving the review of legislation and the drafting of heads and draft Bills for new or amending legislation. This is a matter which is tedious and time-consuming and any attempt to rush through that process would inevitably lead to undesirable consequences in subsequent legislation. Therefore, it would not be practicable to put a time on work such as this.