Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will address the concerns of an organisation, details supplied. [23463/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The EU legal instrument referred to in the Deputy's question is Council Directive 2003/9/EC of 27 January 2003 laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers. This directive is covered by title IV of the EU treaties and by the "Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland" under which the State has an option to participate in its provisions.

Many of the key provisions of the directive, although the responsibility of a number of Departments and agencies, are already covered by national procedures and, in many areas, our national standards would exceed those provided for in the directive. The modalities and implications of the exercise of this option in respect of this particular directive are under consideration at the present time.