Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
109. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the timeline and process for her Department's commitment to ratifying the second optional protocol of the UNCRC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13302/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and work is ongoing to ratify the Protocol as soon as possible.
As the deputy is aware the Protocol provides that states parties shall prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. It also obliges these states to participate in the extradition of individuals in relation to these crimes. Importantly, under article 8 of the Protocol, it also protects the rights and interests of child victims including through allowing their views and concerns to be presented and considered; supporting them through the legal process; protecting their privacy; and providing for their safety.
In Irish treaty practice, the State must be in a position to meet all of the obligations it assumes under the terms of an international agreement from the moment it enters into force. Often it will not be possible for the State to meet these obligations without first taking steps required by domestic law, or otherwise, enabling it to do so. As work towards ratification of the protocol continues, the State is obliged to ensure that all legislative provisions are in place for it to meet these obligations.
I am pleased to say that the Department has recently received confirmation from the Attorney General’s Office that the suite of measures taken to ensure that Ireland is in a position to meet its obligations under the Protocol are sufficient to overcome barriers to ratification which had been previously identified.
The Department will now work with Departments of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and of Foreign Affairs and Trade to prepare the necessary measures required on ratification.
These include two technical orders in relation to extradition and mutual legal assistance between State Parties. These are needed to meet the requirements under the Protocol. These orders fall to be made under existing primary legislation and I do not currently anticipate that development and drafting of these orders will lead to any significant delay.
Once this work is complete, Government approval will be sought to ratify the Protocol.
