Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I oppose the procedure followed for the motion regarding the civil justice programme, as it is without debate. This is one of a number of motions relating to justice and home affairs that have been processed without debate in this House. This motion is only a small part of The Hague programme and the Minister admitted in committee that The Hague programme had to be revisited because it was tied to the adoption of the EU Constitution. Therefore, we are passing a motion that has been overtaken by events and we should put it on hold. The Hague programme frontloads contentious measures including judicial and police co-operation without regard for the great differences between member states on the issue of human rights protection. I urge that this motion be put on hold and that we have a proper debate on The Hague programme as I requested several times in the past year.

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