The next item on the agenda is consideration of the EU legislative proposals the committee initially studied on 26 October. We received further information on them in private session. I will now proceed to go through the measures for decision.
COM (2011) 319 is a directive on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection status. This proposal will amend the 2005 asylum procedures directive which Ireland has adopted in international law. I am not sure if I need to go through all of the information. The Government did not seek Oireachtas approval to opt in to this proposal within three months of its publication. The Department has provided detailed information which suggests Ireland could end up being bound by an outcome which would be contrary to our interests at national level. The committee also notes the choice that has been made in the United Kingdom, with which we share a common travel area. It is proposed that this measure does not require further scrutiny by the committee at this stage. Is that agreed? Agreed.
The next directive lays down standards for the reception of asylum seekers. It amends the 2003 reception conditions directive which Ireland has not adopted in international law. Ireland stated at the time that the provision to allow asylum seekers to assess the labour market if their applications were not accepted within a set timeframe could act as a substantial pull factor. This policy has not changed, which is why the Government did not seek Oireachtas approval to opt in to the new proposal within three months of its publication. The committee notes that the United Kingdom, with which we share a common travel area, has also chosen not to opt in to the directive. It is proposed that the measure does not require further scrutiny by the committee at this stage. Is that agreed? Agreed. It is also proposed that we receive a report on reception centres.
