merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., has announced the formal acceptance by Ireland of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

Speaking in Dublin, to coincide with the lodgement of Ireland’s official declaration at the United Nations Head Quarters in New York today, the Tánaiste said:

"I am delighted that, from today, Ireland will accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice."

" This decision is fully consonant with the commitment in Article 29 of the Constitution to the peaceful settlement of international disputes by international courts and tribunals. It is also consistent with the Government’s objective of enhancing Ireland’s standing as a respected and influential member of the international community."

The possibility of accepting the Court’s compulsory jurisdiction had been signalled as far back as the White Paper on Foreign Policy in 1996. The Government took a decision in principle in April that Ireland would accept the Court’s jurisdiction by the end of the year and a decision on 7 December that a declaration should be lodged. The Government’s decision has already been warmly welcomed by other states and by the President of the ICJ.