20 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, made with regard to the establishment of an international war crimes court; when the Government will ratify the convention; when sufficient countries will have ratified it to allow for its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25521/99]

The statute of the international criminal court was concluded at Rome on 17 July 1998 and was signed, subject to ratification, by Ireland on 7 October 1998. It will enter into force approximately two months after 60 states have become party to it. My information is that to date 90 states have signed the statute and, of these, five have ratified it.