By ratifying, Ireland has become the 82nd party to the Convention, which was adopted in November 2001 at the 31st UNESCO General Conference.

The internationally legally binding agreement promotes the protection of underwater cultural heritage (UCH) through cooperation between states parties.

Ireland was not able to ratify the treaty until enacting legislative changes, in particular those included in Chapter 2, Part 5 of the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.

Following approval by the Dáil in October, Ireland’s ambassador to UNESCO has now formally deposited the legal instrument of ratification with UNESCO in Paris.

Housing, local government and heritage minister James Browne said: “I was very pleased to bring a motion on ratification to Dáil Éireann last October and am delighted that, with this final step, Ireland can now play our part in international efforts to secure the protection of this important heritage.

“With the Convention providing a common legally binding framework for states parties on how to better identify, research and protect this heritage, and ensuring its preservation and sustainability, we look forward to working with other state parties in the year ahead to meet these objectives.”

Christopher O’Sullivan, minister of state for nature, heritage and biodiversity, said: “Understanding and conserving underwater cultural heritage, which is particularly vulnerable, allows for a better knowledge and appreciation of past culture, history and science.

“It also helps us understand the potential impacts of climate change and rising sea levels on this heritage.

“This ratification now places protection of underwater heritage as a key legislative and policy priority. Greater alignment with marine spatial planning, and international cooperation on safeguarding what is, in many cases, a shared heritage will be now strengthened.”

He added: “As an island nation, our seas have played such an important role through millennia, and the underwater cultural heritage in our seas tells that history of people, of trade and maritime links.

“We now proudly join other nations across the globe to work together to protect and promote the significance of our own and the world’s underwater cultural heritage, which we cherish.”