Mr. Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for Commerce, Science & Technology has today (Wednesday 3rd February, 1999) announced that he has made an Order, known as the Companies (Forms) (Amendment) Order, 1999, which amends the existing provisions of the Companies (Forms) Order, 1964 which deals with the legalisation requirements for foreign public documents.

"Legalisation" is a formality required by the law of certain countries, including Ireland, before foreign documents can be admitted there as genuine. The effect of the new Order will be to do away with the existing legalisation requirements which are somewhat cumbersome and have associated costs, and put in its place procedures which will be easier and faster for business to comply with and less costly.

The need for this Order arises from the recent ratification by Ireland of three Conventions abolishing existing legalisation requirements for foreign public documents. These Conventions, known as the EU Convention, Council of Europe Convention and the Hague Convention, come into operation on the 9th March, 1999. The ratification of these Conventions was arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The new Order will come into operation on the 9th March, 1999, the same date as the three Conventions take effect. The new arrangements will be administered by the Companies Registration Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, as appropriate.

Commenting on the new Order Minister Treacy said "the new procedures should confer practical advantages of greater speed and less cost for Irish companies with dealings in other countries, who are party to the Conventions in question."