Vol. 572 No. 2
181 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the priorities of his Department in respect of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union in 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the interest being generated by these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22692/03]
Justice and home affairs has been identified as a key area of activity in Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the EU.
The development of the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice is a core EU objective. The Treaty of Amsterdam makes 1 May next the deadline for the adoption of certain measures directed to providing citizens with a high level of security within such an area. Those requirements have been further developed and refined in the conclusions adopted by the European Council in Tampere, Seville and most recently, Thessaloniki.
Our priority, therefore, will be to take forward that work programme within the framework of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. This will involve a wide-ranging agenda across the full range of justice and home affairs co-operation in the area of asylum, immigration, police co-operation, and co-operation in criminal and civil law matters. That agenda is also likely to include a number of significant legislative measures in the asylum, immigration, criminal and civil law areas as well as non legislative measures directed to improving cooperation at operational level. The precise scope of our task will depend on the progress made by the Italian Presidency and our programme will be finalised in December in the light of that progress.
My Department is also responsible for equality issues which are dealt with in the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council. We will also be giving priority to progressing that agenda within the EU framework, including any legislative measures outstanding at the end of the Italian Presidency.
