International Convention on the Rights of the Child
For access to the complete text of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, please click here.
Signed by Ireland: 30 September 1990
Ratified by Ireland:28 September 1992
Reservations by Ireland: No
Declarations:
Upon signature:
"Ireland reserves the right to make, when ratifying the Convention, such declarations as it may consider necessary."
Comments:
With regard to the reservations made by Bangladesh, Djibouti, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait and Tunisia upon ratification by Myanmar and Thailand upon accession, by Pakistan upon signature and confirmed upon ratification, and by Turkey upon signature:
"The Government of Ireland consider that such reservations, which seek to limit the responsibilities of the reserving State under the Convention, by invoking general principles of national law, may create doubts as to the commitment of those States to the object and purpose of the Convention."
"This objection shall not constitute an obstacle to the entry into force of the Convention between Ireland and the aforementioned States."
With regard to the reservation made by Iran (Islamic Republic of) upon ratification:
"The reservation poses difficulties for the States Parties to the Convention in identifying the provisions of the Convention which the Islamic Government of Iran does not intend to apply and consequently makes it difficult for States Parties to the Convention to determine the extent of their treaty relations with the reserving State.
The Government of Ireland hereby formally makes objection to the reservation by the Islamic Republic of Iran."
With regard to the reservation made by Malaysia and Saudi Arabia upon accession:
"Ireland considers that this reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention and is therefore prohibited by article 51 (2) of the Convention. The Government of Ireland also considers that it contributes to undermining the basis of international treaty law. The Government of Ireland therefore objects to the said reservation."
Second National Report under the International Convention on the Rights of the Child
Reports submitted by Ireland under this Convention and Concluding Observations published by the Committee can be accessed in the Human Rights Reporting Section.
Status of Ratification: Ratified by Ireland - 18 November 2002
Ireland has ratified the Optional Protocol on involvement of
Children in armed conflict and submitted its first report under the protocol in December
2006.
Signed by Ireland: 07 September 2000
Ratified by Ireland: 18 November 2002
Declaration:
"Pursuant to article 3, paragraph 2, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts, Ireland declares:
In general, the minimum age for recruitment into the Irish armed forces is 17. An exception is made in the case of apprentices, who may be recruited at the age of 16. However, apprentices are not assigned to any military duties until they have completed up to four years apprenticeship trade training, by which time all would have attained the age of 18.
Ireland has adopted the following safeguards to ensure that recruitment of personnel under the age of 18 is not forced or coerced:
All recruitment to the Irish armed forces is voluntary. Ireland does not practice conscription and recruitment campaigns are informational in nature. Applicants must fill in an application and are selected on the basis of suitability. Applicants who are offered a position are under no obligation to accept that position.
All applicants are required to provide proof of age. All unmarried applicants who are under 18 must have the written consent of a parent or guardian. In Ireland a person attains full age or adulthood either on attaining the age of 18 or upon marriage if they marry before that age. Under Irish law a person who is under the age of 18 years may not enter into a valid marriage unless an exemption is granted by the Circuit or High Court."
With regard to the Optional Protocol on sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography.
Signed by Ireland: 7 September 2000
Ireland
has not yet ratified this Optional Protocol but work is ongoing to
ensure that this ratification can take place as soon as possible.
Comments:
With regard to the reservation made by Qatar upon accession, Ireland made the following comment:
"The Government of Ireland have examined the reservation to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography made by the Government of Qatar at the time of its accession to the Optional Protocol.
The Government of Ireland are of the view that this reservation refers in a general manner to Islamic law without precising its content and therefore leaves other states parties in doubt as to the real extent of the state of Qatar's commitment to the Optional Protocol. It is in the common interest of States that treaties to which they have chosen to become parties are respected as to their object and purpose, by all parties, and that States are prepared to undertake any legislative changes necessary to comply with their obligations under the treaties.
For these reasons, the Government of Ireland object to this reservation made by the Government of Qatar.
This position, however, does not preclude the entry into force in its entirety of the Optional Protocol between Qatar and Ireland."
6 January 2003
