James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their contributions on the three opt-ins. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, the Prüm measures are essential to ensure the continuation of the close law-enforcement co-operation between Ireland and the United Kingdom. It is vital that we meet the highest standards possible when it comes to the investigation and prosecution of crimes. The ongoing transfer of Prüm data helps to ensure that. In the absence of a decision to facilitate the sharing of these data with the UK, the arrangement will expire at the end of June 2022. The EU has evaluated whether the UK meets the Prüm requirements. It was satisfied that it did.

With regard to the Kyoto Declaration, Ireland’s opt-in to the EU Council decision reaffirms the strong belief that we share with other EU member states that the international community should build on established standards and further develop multilateral solutions, which the Kyoto declaration aims to achieve.

Ireland and the EU are very committed to taking an holistic, collaborative to prevent crime through targeted strategies, legislative reforms and operational activities via international collaboration with the EU and UN member states. The implementation of actions in Justice Plan 2022, which is very much in line with and supportive of the EU Council decision and the principles of the Kyoto Declaration, will ensure the criminal justice system in Ireland is fair, respectful and inclusive. In addition, these aims align directly with advancing sustainable development goal 16, which is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

The Minister and I are committed to supporting innovative policies and legislative reforms, such as the community safety innovation fund and the Greentown Project, to which I referred. The latter will continue to be rolled out to target those children most at risk of being recruited by criminal gangs. We are committed to the enactment of new criminal legislation that will outlaw the grooming of children to commit a crime. Once again, I ask all Senators to support this motion and Ireland’s continued engagement with its international partners.

With regard to insolvency regulation, I mentioned in my opening remarks that the recast insolvency regulation is an important and well-established part of civil justice co-operation between EU member states, which ensures a more coherent and predictable approach in cross-border insolvency cases. It is important that Ireland now opt in to the amending regulation so it will be applying the same updated lists of insolvency proceedings and practitioners as other EU member states. All it is doing is providing updated lists of insolvency proceedings and practitioners to match those of other EU member states, and nothing more. Therefore, it is desirable that Ireland should exercise the right to opt in to the amending regulation after adoption in accordance with Article 4 of the protocol.

Once again, on behalf of the Minister for Justice, I thank all the Senators for their contributions.