Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
364 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Government’s position on the EU Framework Decision on Combating Racism and Xenophobia; if the Government support the proposal; if not, the reasons therefor. [10895/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal for a Council framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia was presented by the Commission in November 2001. It has been extensively debated but, in April 2003, the then Presidency conceded that it was unable to obtain final agreement on the proposal. In preparation for the Irish Presidency, I visited the capitals of member states for an exchange of views with Justice and Interior Ministers on many issues relevant to our Presidency, including whether there was any realistic chance that agreement could be reached on this framework decision. As it was clear to me that positions had not changed, and it was unlikely that they would change in the timeframe of the Irish Presidency, I reluctantly concluded that attempting to initiate further discussions at this stage would divert resources which would be better concentrated on issues where there was a possibility of agreement. The current text of the framework decision, that is the text on which agreement could not be reached in April 2003, is one with which I concurred and I hope it will not be too long before all member states are in a position to agree a final text. At that time I will seek the approval of the Government and the Houses of the Oireachtas to it.
