Michael D. Higgins
Question:46 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline his programme of work in the context of the Irish Presidency of the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Programme of Work of EC Presidency.
The programme of work of the Irish Presidency of the EC, as far as my area of responsibility is concerned, falls under the following headings — immigration, police co-operation (TREVI) and legal co-operation within the framework of European political co-operation. Working groups dealing with these matters will be chaired and serviced by officials of my Department and this will involve attendance at meetings in both Dublin and Brussels. I will be chairing a meeting of the TREVI and Immigration Ministers towards the end of our Presidency.
The priorities during the Irish Presidency in relation to immigration are:
—to finalise the draft convention determining the State responsible for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the European Communities;
—to accelerate progress on the draft convention on the crossing of the external borders of the member states of the European Communities; and
—at the request of the European Council, to carry forward a number of studies relating to immigration matters such as the preparation of inventories on:
(a) national positions regarding immigration, and
(b) national policies on asylum.
The TREVI Group deals with police co-operation in the context of the EC and the main areas of priority during the Irish Presidency are:
(i) to secure agreement on a detailed list of measures to be implemented in relation to police co-operation in the context of 1992 having regard to the consequences for organised crime and the security of a Europe without internal borders; and
(ii) the continuation and further development of international police co-operation measures to combat drug trafficking. Towards this end a special working group meeting will be held early in March on the subject of technical police co-operation between the EC member countries and producer and transit countries which are struggling against drug trafficking. It is also my intention to devote a special session at the meeting of Trevi Ministers in June to discussion of this topic.
As regards legal co-operation, the aim during the Irish Presidency is to make the maximum progress on implementation of measures required in the context of 1992. In addition I have decided, as a particular objective, to take action to deal with the problems of drug trafficking, particularly by the implementation of measures to trace, seize and confiscate criminally obtained assets. The Irish Presidency has tabled a paper asking the relevant group to consider legal co-operation at a Community level with regard to this issue. On the civil side the Irish Presidency intends to progress negotiations on a convention to simplify and improve the procedures between member state for the recovery of payments due to maintenance creditors.
I am confident that significant progress will be achieved in my areas of responsibility during the Presidency, particularly in relation to drug trafficking and to measures to be implemented in the context of 1992.