Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has initiated discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to an Europe wide response to various forms of terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12684/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The fight against terrorism remains a key focus for co-operation between the member states of the European Union in the context of the development of the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice. That co-operation is now being taken forward within the framework of the European Council's March 2004 declaration on combating terrorism and the Hague programme on strengthening freedom, security and justice in the European Union. There is already in place a co-ordinated policy at EU level to respond to the threat posed by terrorism in all its forms. Specifically, in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States of America on 11 September 2001, the European Council adopted an EU plan of action to combat terrorism.

In response to the Madrid terrorist bombings on 11 March 2004, the Irish Presidency of the European Union secured the adoption by the European Council on 25 March 2005, of a declaration on combating terrorism. A revised EU action plan to combat terrorism was also subsequently adopted during the Irish Presidency. These measures were designed to reinforce the determination of the EU to prevent and fight terrorism.

The wide-ranging action plan brings together a comprehensive package of measures to be taken in the fight against terrorism and lists them on the basis of the strategic objectives outlined in the annex to the declaration. The action plan, which is kept under review, identifies the competent bodies responsible for implementing each measure together with a deadline within which that task is to be completed. The Hague programme on strengthening freedom, security and justice in the European Union, which was adopted by the European Council in November 2004, represents a new overall framework for the development of co-operation in justice and home affairs matters in the coming years. The Hague programme emphasises the need for a continuing focus on the implementation of the declaration and action plan for the purpose of combating terrorism as well as identifying a number of priority measures in this regard.

Furthermore, discussions on terrorism-related matters take place at the level of the EU Council of Ministers on a regular basis. The Council is required to carry out periodic assessments concerning the implementation of the declaration on combating terrorism and the action plan.