Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The main concern of Ministers in rejecting it was not to confuse what I describe as operational matters with educational matters. Europol facilitates the exchange of information on matters relating to serious crime. There was concern that if one incorporated Europol and CEPOL together, first, that a substantial portion of funding would be located in Europol rather the CEPOL. The educational function of CEPOL is very important in the context of police forces across Europe co-operating with each other and learning the most modern techniques to approach different types of issues that relate to criminality across the European Union. European Justice and Home Affairs Ministers were not convinced there was any added value to incorporating the two bodies as they have separate and distinct functions and roles. The view was that the distinct functions and roles should be kept separate. That was the predominant argument. A very small number of member states thought there was some added value in their incorporation.

From an Irish perspective, we were not entirely convinced that there would be financial concerns and issues. In the context of the Presidency, we had to maintain neutrality on the issue. I would not have been unduly concerned if the bodies had been incorporated into the one body because they could still have two separate and distinct functions. There was an overwhelming majority view of European Justice Ministers not to proceed with the amalgamation. CEPOL has been located in the United Kingdom for some years but it must vacate by March 2014. We have an excellent Garda college in Templemore that has state-of-the-art facilities. The advantage of CEPOL being here is that it would add an extra tier or level to the education role played by Templemore college. Deputy Niall Collins likes to focus on the issue of recruits, which happily we will have in 2014, but Templemore does a lot of work at the moment with continuing education. A substantial number of courses are attended by current members of the Garda in Templemore. CEPOL would bring added value.

I believe it would enhance the reputation of this State in a very positive way. We have the facilities. We can do it at minimal cost in the context of the European Union. CEPOL would be funded with European Union funding. There would not be any major additional cost to this State in its locating there. CEPOL has approximately 35 permanent personnel engaged in the education functions.

I do not want to heighten expectations around this issue. I felt we should propose CEPOL. I am conscious that while we are a full member of the European Union, our location is somewhat on the periphery in the context of the different locations on offer. Some member states may be of the view that CEPOL should be located at a more compatible distance from the various member states than we may be from some member states. However, it has been located in England and there is no particular reason it could not locate in Ireland. I emphasise the excellence of our airports and our transport system and if we are successful in locating it there, apart from CEPOL's 35 permanent staff, there would be a regular influx of members of police forces from around Europe to participate in courses there.

I do not want to exaggerate this, but it would be a boost, if only a minor one, for the town of Templemore in bringing some additional business to it. However, this is not based on business. It is based on the fact that we have an excellent state-of-the-art policing college that can readily facilitate CEPOL, literally instantly, without major difficulty arising in respect of that relocation, and as it will have to relocate from England, we are fairly close by. I will have to wait and see. I have communicated with all of my colleagues in the European Union on this seeking their support but I am sure that in respect of the six other locations, my colleagues in those countries have equally communicated with colleagues. We will get an insight into it. It is likely the decision will be made next week but it is always possible it could be further postponed. The urgency is because the staff must vacate their current location by next March.