Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
580. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality Ireland's involvement with the European Agency for the Management of Operational Co-operation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union; the person who represents Ireland in Warsaw, Poland, where the agency is based; if he will detail Ireland's operational element of this agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1225/14]
View answerFRONTEX (European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union) is the European Union agency responsible for border security cooperation. While ultimate responsibility for the control of the external borders of the European Union lies with the Member States, the Agency strengthens border security by ensuring the proper coordination of Member States’ actions in implementing of EU lead initiatives (including legislative initiatives) and actions related to the management of the external borders. FRONTEX is headquartered in Warsaw and became operational for the first time in 2005. The Agency was established on the basis of Council Regulation (EC) 2007/2004 which was subsequently amended by Regulation (EC) 1168/2011.
Ireland, in common with the UK, is excluded from full participation in FRONTEX, because the legal base of the Regulation falls outside the scope of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which we have applied to participate. However we can participate in operational activities co-ordinated by FRONTEX. Ireland agrees an annual programme of work with the Agency and makes an annual financial contribution (€250,000) in respect of these activities. We have participated in a range of operations, of which the most significant are joint return operations coordinated by FRONTEX and involving a number of Member States. In most cases the cost of such operations is partially or fully funded through the FRONTEX budget which more than compensates for the annual contribution. In view of Ireland's exclusion from the legal base of the Agency we are not members of the Management Board of the Agency. However, a senior representative of the Garda National Immigration Bureau attends Management Board meetings and members of the Bureau participate in joint operations etc. including joint return operations.
