Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 728: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on provisional agenda item number nine, namely, list of safe countries of origin, including in particular the detail of representations the Government will make or positions it intends to take on the matter. [15280/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 729: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on provisional agenda item number 14, a proposal for a framework decision on certain procedural rights in criminal proceedings throughout the European Union, including the status of the proposal and in particular the detail of positions the Government intend to take on the matter. [15281/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 733: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on provisional agenda item number 15, a proposal for a Council framework decision on the European evidence warrant for obtaining objects, documents and data for use in proceedings in criminal matters, including the status of the proposal and in particular the detail of positions the Government intend to take on the matter. [15318/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 734: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on provisional agenda item number 16, a draft framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to the enforcement of sentences, including the status of the draft and in particular the detail of positions the Government intend to take on the matter. [15319/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 735: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on provisional agenda item number 18, a draft framework decision on the fight against organised crime, including the status of the draft and in particular the detail of positions the Government intend to take on the matter. [15320/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 736: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on provisional agenda item number 19, a draft framework decision on the consideration of former convictions in new criminal proceedings, including the status of the draft and in particular the detail of positions the Government intend to take on the matter. [15321/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 737: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the meeting of the mixed committee at ministerial level scheduled for the margins of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on agenda item number 6, namely, scheme information system II, including in particular the status of Ireland's participation in scheme arrangements and plans to alter the nature or extent of this participation. [15322/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 738: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the meeting of the mixed committee at ministerial level scheduled for the margins of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on agenda item number 7, a proposal for a Council decision on the improvement of police co-operation between member states of the European Union, especially at the internal borders and amending the convention implementing the scheme agreement, including the status of the proposal and in particular the detail of positions the Government intend to take on the matter. [15323/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 739: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will be represented at the meeting of the mixed committee at ministerial level scheduled for the margins of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on agenda item number 8, a framework decision on data protection, including the status of the decision and in particular the detail of positions the Government intend to take on the matter. [15324/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 728 and 729 and Questions Nos. 733 to 739, inclusive, together.

I will attend the Justice and Home Affairs Council which will take place in Luxembourg later this week. In that context, my general approach to the discussions will be to support the development of co-operation at EU level in line with the EU treaties. For me, this is particularly important when it comes to strengthening operational co-operation in the fight against terrorism and other forms of serious crime.

With regard to the items on the Council agenda, I should mention that many of the proposals have already been through the procedures provided for under the European Communities (Scrutiny) Act 2002. Additionally, a number of them have been the subject of specific presentations to Members of the Oireachtas. Moreover, Oireachtas approval will be required before Ireland can agree to the adoption of the legislative texts of the proposed framework decisions.

The general situation with regard to the relevant dossiers is that they are, for the most part, the subject of ongoing negotiations. In addition, it is the case that some of the items concerned have been placed on the agenda for information purposes. This includes the question of the adoption of a list of safe countries of origin where a proposal is expected to be introduced by the Commission in the near future.

I would, in particular, like to express my support for the current text of the proposed framework decision on the European evidence warrant. This is an initiative which appears to be close to conclusion and I am hopeful that it can be finalised at an early stage.

As far as the Schengen Convention is concerned, I would like to reiterate that Ireland has successfully applied to operate elements of the Schengen arrangements which are not concerned with the abolition of border checks. The approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas will be necessary in that connection. Accordingly, a motion seeking such approval will be introduced in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann in due course.