Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My other question concerned the European public prosecutor's office, EPPO. I know we have considered this and issued a reasoned opinion. I know that there is more information in the fuller briefing about the Minister's point that the collegiate model we seem to be moving towards would be more conducive to Irish participation than the original hierarchical command and control structure the Commission initially proposed. We have more detail on that collegiate model, which is very helpful. Could the Minister say any more about whether this is likely to go ahead in the near future? I know it could go ahead in the enhanced co-operation procedure with nine member states. If that is the case, is there a possibility that Ireland will look to join in? Certainly I would hope that we would have an opportunity to scrutinise it again before any decision is made. I am anxious that if it does proceed on the new model with a small number of states, we will have an opportunity to consider it again before Ireland makes a decision.