Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress being made on the implementation of the EU plan of action on combating terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13491/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The EU plan of action on combating terrorism underwent the first of its regular six monthly reviews at the European Council last December. At that time the Council noted that significant progress had been achieved in the short time since the plan's adoption. The plan is structured around seven strategic objectives and advances were made under each heading. In particular, there was closer co-operation between the EU and the United Nations, and the EU and the United States, and improvements were made in the capacity of Europol, Eurojust and the police chiefs task force to combat terrorism. Further advances included the work on the European Borders Agency, which is due to start operations on 1 May 2005, and the strengthening of civil capacity against terrorism, including a cross-border contingency programme and an assessment of the implications of radicalisation and recruitment to terrorism. As regards external relations, the Council noted the stepping up of counter-terrorist co-operation with select priority countries with particular regard to political dialogue, information exchange and technical assistance.

The Dutch Presidency gave a particular focus to the EU's actions in the fight against the financing of terrorism. A successful seminar involving police and judicial authorities on terrorist financing was held in The Hague in September of last year. Further work within the Council led to the adoption of a detailed and comprehensive review of EU action in the fight against terrorist financing in December.

As the plan will be reviewed every six months it would be premature at this stage to anticipate the conclusions the Council will draw in June with regard to its implementation. We can, however, note some of the important developments that have taken place since the last review. The Luxembourg Presidency has maintained a focus on the financing of terrorism and has reviewed the EU's procedures on the freezing of assets and the application of financial sanctions. An official level seminar in New York examined how the EU's sanctions mechanisms can become better aligned with those of the United Nations and how both can become better targeted and more effective.

In the broader international context, the second EU-Gulf Co-operation Countries, GCC, seminar on the financing of terrorism was held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year. This unique forum provided an opportunity for the two organisations to reaffirm their shared commitment to tackle terrorist financing and also for key actors to share their experiences and brief each other on developments in the EU and the GCC. Events such as these are fully in keeping with the objectives of the plan of action to deepen the international consensus and enhance international efforts to combat terrorism.

From Ireland's point of view a very important development is the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act on 8 March last. This legislation permits implementation of the framework decision on combating terrorism, one of the plan's specific actions that Ireland has yet to fulfil. The Act also provides for Ireland's ratification of the remaining international conventions and protocols related to terrorism, including the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. Twelve such conventions and protocols exist and all EU member states are committed to their ratification in the plan. The conclusions of the European Council next June will give a fuller picture of the progress being made on the plan's implementation.