Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
295. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts made by his Department during the EU Presidency in working towards tackling racism and xenophobia across the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51610/13]
View answerDuring Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union issues regarding the tackling of racism and xenophobia were central to my agenda.
Last January’s Informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers held in Dublin Castle afforded me the opportunity to put this important issue on the agenda of Justice Ministers. At this meeting, I tabled a paper for discussion on EU action to protect freedom of movement for EU Citizens and social integration by encouraging effective action and enhancing cooperation between justice systems in countering hate crime, racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia and homophobia. At this meeting I raised the need for broad public debate and consultation process with ministries and other public institutions in Member States, human rights and equality bodies and civil society to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of the rule of law, common values and protection of the fundamental rights of all.
In May 2013 a conference entitled "A Europe of Equal Citizens - equality, fundamental rights and the rule of law" was organised in the framework of the Irish Presidency in Dublin. This conference played an important part in the debate on how to protect fundamental rights and promote the rule of law in Europe. The conference outlined the clear links between tackling hate crimes on one hand and promoting equality and fighting discrimination on the other.
In June the Justice and Home Affairs Council adopted Council Conclusions on fundamental rights and the rule of law and on the Commission 2012 Report on the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. These Council Conclusions drew inspiration from the outcome of the discussions which took place at the Informal Justice and Home Affairs meeting and the Irish Presidency Conference in May. The Conclusions called, inter alia, on the Commission to take forward a debate on the need for ‘a collaborative and systematic method’ – i.e. a Rule of Law mechanism or initiative – to address these important issues. They suggested guidance to the EU Commission as to how the debate on this important topic should be taken forward, stressing the need to take a holistic approach to all the issues arising. They also focused on the need to move forward on the basis of consensus, treating Member States on the basis of equality, working together to ensure that we achieve the standards we committed to on joining the EU and on the basis of designing an approach that will make a real difference to protection of those persons whose rights are most vulnerable to attack.
Ireland remains an active participant in discussions on this issue. In recent weeks, I have contributed to a Conference on Hate Crimes organised by the Lithuanian Presidency and in the Assises de la Justice organised by the Commission. In addition, my Department is working with a number of other Member States and with the Fundamental Rights Agency to craft a methodology by which appropriate rule of law indicators could be developed. The intention is to focus on a limited number of fundamental rights issues with a view to developing a methodology that can be applied to the wider range of rule of law questions as a contribution to the ongoing debate.
