Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 218: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he remains committed to retaining the unanimity requirement for EU decisions in the field of police and judicial co-operation. [37837/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The question of making changes in the decision-making process under Title VI of the Treaty on European Union (police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters) was raised by the European Commission in its Communication entitled 'Implementing the Hague Programme — the way forward' which was published on 28 June 2006.

The matter was subsequently discussed at the Informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Tampere on 21-22 September. At that meeting, I expressed Ireland's concern at the issues which arise, in particular the possibility that such a change would undermine the Constitutional Treaty. Ireland's position in this respect remains unchanged. I should add that there would appear to be little support amongst Member States for a change in the decision-making process as suggested by the Commission.