Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy said, the people voted for the Lisbon treaty. What they voted for was the right for Ireland to opt in. The only constitutional requirement following on from that vote is that both Houses would adopt or vote on any decision taken to opt into any measure. We have done that on one occasion in the last few weeks when, with regard to people smuggling or human trafficking, we opted to engage in a closer way with our colleagues in Europol and policing systems across the EU. What we are proposing to opt into here is an updating of a system that we are already a part of. We have been part of an asylum system in the EU for many years and it has not impacted our sovereignty in any way, shape or form. We have our own laws here and we apply them. What we are trying to do, though, is become more harmonised to make sure we do not have different systems operating across the EU and so we work collectively and are able to respond collectively. I believe that is the best way to respond to what is a challenging situation. Above all, it is the best way to make sure that people who genuinely need protection in the EU get it.

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