Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Each state will make its own views known on that. It is important for Ireland - this arose at the discussion - that there be an agreement to opt in to 35 areas. We are satisfied that the 35 areas that the United Kingdom has opt in to are the critical ones for us. To ensure co-operation between the United Kingdom and Ireland, it was critical that the United Kingdom opted in to them.

Many of the 100 or so measures that the United Kingdom is not rejoining relate to informal co-operation. Many of the measures out of which it has opted relate to the setting up of networks and contact points. Measures in this regard may be taken informally as the United Kingdom decides. We are satisfied that we can continue to co-operate with the United Kingdom in those areas due to our common law legal system. As I stated, we are satisfied that the United Kingdom is rejoining in respect of those areas that are particularly important to us. These include the European arrest warrant, Europol, Eurojust, mutual legal assistance, action on fighting against organised crime, combating child pornography and information exchange. We are satisfied that we can continue to co-operate on the other issues.