Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of the EU proposal to establish a European Fundamental Rights Agency. [16926/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The idea of a Human Rights Agency is included in the Hague Programme; Strengthening Freedom, Security and Justice in the European Union which was adopted on 4-5 November, 2004. In December, 2004 the European Council called for further implementation of the agreement to establish an EU Human Rights Agency. On 30 June, 2005 the European Commission published its proposal for the establishment of a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Negotiations on the Commission's proposals commenced in July 2005 at Working Party level under the Chairmanship of the UK Presidency. These negotiations are ongoing under the Chairmanship of the Austrian Presidency.