Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister and thank him for being with us today. It is vital that we were discussing the proposed approval of these three European Commission proposals to which our Protocol 21 opt-in applies. As the Minister already noted, these proposals are a vital part of the MFF budgetary package on which negotiations are ongoing and will be for the foreseeable future. These motions will form part of Ireland's engagement with key EU justice and security programmes for the period 2028 to 2034. They relate to four distinct but interconnected areas. I ask the House to support Ireland's opt-in to the regulation establishing the internal security fund for 2028 to 2034 with a value of €6.8 billion. This fund is central to strengthening security across the European Union. It provides targeted investment in combating terrorism and radicalisation, tackling organised crime, improving cybersecurity and enhancing co-operation between law enforcement agencies.

In recent years, Ireland has faced increased challenges in areas such as cyberthreats, trafficking networks and cross-border criminal activity. Participation in this fund will ensure An Garda Síochána and other agencies can access modern technologies, training and intelligence-sharing networks that no single country could effectively develop alone. It will also facilitate the exchange of information between competent authorities and EU bodies throughout the European Union. I believe that opting into this regulation is not in any way to surrender sovereignty. Rather, it is Ireland choosing to work with its partners in a way that makes citizens safer and strengthens our institutions.

The second motion concerns the asylum migration and integration fund, known as AMIF. This fund supports member states in managing migration in a humane, orderly and respectful manner. This is very topical at the moment, not just here but right across the Union. We have to acknowledge that Ireland is a country built on migration, both outwards and inwards. We know what it is to seek opportunity elsewhere. We also know the responsibilities that come with welcoming people who arrive in our country today. By opting into AMIF for the next programme cycle, Ireland can draw on EU resources to improve our asylum system, support reception facilities, assist integration efforts and ensure that vulnerable migrants receive the supports they require. It is important to note that this fund helps member states to return individuals who do not qualify for protection in a manner consistent with international law and European values. It balances firmness with compassion, ensures both fairness to genuine applicants and integrity of the system as a whole. Co-ordination across Europe is essential in this area. Migration pressures do not recognise borders and our responses cannot be purely national. We need to respond as a Union as this is an issue for most, if not all, EU countries. This opt-in reflects Ireland's ongoing commitment to responsibility sharing and to uphold our obligations in this regard.

The third motion proposes Ireland's participation in the justice programme, again from 2028 to 2034. This programme strengthens judicial co-operation across the Union. It supports training for judges and legal practitioners, improves access to justice for citizens and promotes mutual recognition of judicial decisions. It is important for a small country such as Ireland to have access to these networks and resources. Crime, commercial disputes, family law cases and digital evidence increasingly cross national boundaries. Participation in the justice programme ensures that our legal system remains aligned with best European practice and that our citizens benefit from clear, fair and efficient cross-border processes. It also reinforces the rule of law, an area where Ireland has consistently been a strong voice in the Union. By opting in, we affirm that justice co-operation is not optional. It is core to the functioning of the European project and to the protection of Irish citizens both at home and abroad. We have seen in recent years disrespect towards the rule of law in certain countries and by certain governments, but it is vital that it remains a core principle of the Union and the way in which it functions. I am delighted to highlight how strong Ireland has been in regard to respect for the rule of law.

On a separate note, not linked to Protocol 21, we are asked to approve Ireland's opt-in to a Council decision opening negotiations with the Republic of Korea for a passenger name record, PNR, agreement. Passenger name record data has become a vital tool in combating serious crime and terrorism. It allows authorities to identify high-risk travel patterns while applying strict data protection safeguards. South Korea is a major economic and travel partner of the EU. Establishing a PNR agreement ensures that data exchanges between EU member states and Korea occur within a structured framework that protects privacy while enabling effective law enforcement co-operation. By opting in, Ireland ensures that our national authorities remain fully engaged in shaping that agreement from the outset, rather than at a later date accepting terms which have been set by others. It is both a proactive and responsible course of action.

The motions before the House today reflect Ireland's ongoing commitment to a Europe that is secure, just and fair. They strengthen our capacity to respond to emerging security threats, to manage migration responsibly, to uphold the rule of law and to engage effectively with our international partners. These opt-ins affect the safety of our communities, the fairness of our legal system, the integrity of our borders and, most importantly, the confidence of our citizens in how we manage change and their confidence in the European Union itself. For these reasons I strongly commend the motions to the House.