71.— (1) The Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any contracting state concerning—

(a) the possibility of the State entering into an agreement under paragraph (2) of Article 39 (which makes provision for international instruments on matters governed by the Hague Convention) with that contracting state, and

(b) the terms and conditions of the agreement.

(2) If the State, before or after the commencement of this section, has entered into an agreement under paragraph (2) of Article 39 with a contracting state, with a view to improving the application of the Convention in their mutual relations, the Minister shall cause the agreement to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(3) If an agreement referred to in subsection (2) is amended, the Minister shall cause the amended agreement to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(4) The agreement, and any amended agreement, has the force of law from the date on which it is entered into and for so long as it is in effect.

(5) Judicial notice shall be taken of an agreement, or an amended agreement, under paragraph (2) of Article 39 (which makes provision for international instruments on matters governed by the Hague Convention).