Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 38: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps being taken at EU level to co-operate across all member states in the fight against terrorism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33288/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Terrorism is recognised as a major threat to the security of the European Union and of its citizens. Terrorism puts lives at risk. It imposes large costs. It seeks to undermine the openness and tolerance of European societies. It poses a strategic threat to the whole of Europe. The European Union is determined to take all necessary actions to counter the terrorist threat. The fight against terrorism therefore constitutes a priority objective for its member states.

Ireland has played a significant role in shaping the Union's reaction to terrorist outrages. Ireland held the EU Presidency at the time of the Madrid bombings in March 2004. Its co-ordination of the Union response led to the adoption of two documents that still shape and direct the Union's response to terrorism, the European Union Declaration on Combating Terrorism and the Revised EU Action Plan on Combating Terrorism. The action plan contains seven strategic objectives and is comprised of some 170 individual actions covering all aspects, both external and internal, of the Union's activities. An EU counter-terrorism co-ordinator was appointed to drive forward implementation of the action plan, which was revised in June 2005.

As far as the EU's external relations are concerned, its principal aim on terrorism is to deepen the international consensus and enhance international efforts to combat it. In so doing the EU closely supports the efforts of the United Nations. It collaborates closely with the relevant Security Council committees and the terrorism prevention branch of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The EU promotes the ratification of the existing conventions relating to international terrorism. Along with other EU Foreign Ministers, I recently signed, subject to ratification, on behalf of Ireland, the International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The EU is currently involved in very sensitive negotiations at the UN General Assembly towards the conclusion of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, which would include an agreed definition of terrorism.

The EU maintains a close collaboration with the United States on this issue. The scope of co-operation is set out in the Dromoland Castle Declaration of June 2004 and covers such areas as the financing of terrorism, increased police, judicial and security co-operation, international transport safety and border controls, dealing with the consequences of terrorist attacks, recruitment to terrorism and enhancing the ability of vulnerable states and third countries to meet terrorist attacks.

The fight against terrorism is a major priority of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The adoption of anti-terrorist measures is dealt with extensively in the Hague programme on strengthening freedom, security and justice in the European Union which was endorsed by the European Council in November 2004.

Over the past 18 months, much has been achieved as regards internal aspects of the declaration and the action plan. Transport security has been improved. Europol and Eurojust have provided effective support in combating terrorism. All 25 member states have had their counter terrorism arrangements evaluated and a strategy for tackling radicalisation and recruitment is in development.

A number of legislative measures have been adopted by the Justice and Home Affairs Council in this area, including a framework decision on the European arrest warrant and the framework decision on combating terrorism. Ongoing work in the Council includes negotiations on a European evidence warrant as well as proposals relating to the exchange of information between law enforcement authorities.

Following the London bombings on 7 July 2005, the Justice and Home Ministers met in a special session on 13 July and unanimously agreed a declaration that brought forward deadlines in the action plan on terrorism, identified four themes for future action and accelerated the Commission's programme of work. Furthermore, member states made new proposals to combat the terrorist threat. The measures agreed by the 13 July Council reflect four key policy objectives: the need to pursue and investigate terrorists across borders; the need to prevent people turning to terrorism; the need to protect citizens and infrastructure from terrorist attacks; and the need to prepare ourselves to manage and minimise the consequences of a terrorist attack. It is expected that the Council will agree an updated counter-terrorism framework in the coming months.