JOINT COMMITTEE ON EUROPEAN SCRUTINY díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 2010

Scrutiny of EU Proposals.

Chairman

The first proposal, COM (2009) 1024, requires no further scrutiny. Based on the fact that it does not apply to Ireland and is a technical Schengen matter in this specific case, it is submitted that it does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Based on the information available, it is proposed COM (2009) 657, COM (2009) 684, COM (2009) 685 and COM (2009) 686 do not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Based on the information available, it is proposed COM (2010) 16 — FON and COM (2010) 17 — FON, anti-dumping measures, do not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Based on the information available, it is proposed COM (2010) 29, a trade-related proposal, does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed. It should be sent to the sectoral committee for its information

With regard to item No. 16801/09, given that the proposal was scrutinised by this committee last year, including at a meeting with representatives from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and that it is likely to be referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights this week to consider the approval of an opt in motion for Ireland to take part in the measure, it is submitted that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny by this committee and should be forwarded to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for its information. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Deputy Joe Costello

Did the committee make a recommendation on when Irreland should opt in? The proposal relates to rights to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings. The Department had reservations about the ability of some countries to deliver on it.

Chairman

It was concerned about the cost.

Deputy Joe Costello

We seem to be leaving it to the Department to make the decision on the matter.

Chairman

We examined this issue on the basis of subsidiarity. It is a major issue but if the Deputy would like to seek clarification, it will be sought.

Deputy Joe Costello

The Chairman has stated the proposal is likely to be referred to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights this week to consider the approval of an opt in motion for Ireland to take part in the measure.

Chairman

It is being debated in the Dáil this week. The Deputy has a good query which he might wish to pursue——

Deputy Joe Costello

Is it being taken with or without debate?

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Without debate.

Deputy Joe Costello

It is being taken without debate but the committee has not made a recommendation which must be made on whether we should opt in.

Chairman

We will go into private session in order that the clerk to the committee can brief members on the matter.

The joint committee went into private session at 12.49 p.m. and resumed in public session at 12.51 p.m.

Chairman

COM (2009) 662 is an amended proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and the Council amending the inter-institutional agreement of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management as regards the multi-annual financial framework: financing projects in the field of energy in the context of the European economic recovery plan. It is proposed this agreed proposal be noted. However, it is also proposed it be forwarded for their information to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Is that agreed? Agreed.

No. 3 on the agenda is justice and home affairs measures. I refer to item No. 117513/09 COPEN 247 + COR 1. Given that concerns have been raised about the legal basis of this proposal, its possible implications for domestic legislation and that Oireachtas approval may be required if the Government decides to opt in to the proposal, it is proposed it warrants further scrutiny. To this end, it is proposed it be forwarded to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights for detailed scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The joint committee adjourned at 12.55 p.m. until noon on Tuesday, 2 March 2010.