Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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1006. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on discussions held in Vilnius, Lithuania at the informal meeting Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council of Ministers in July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37017/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I attended the Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council in Vilnius on 18-19 July at which ministers discussed a range of issues relating to immigration and asylum, the Syrian refugee crisis, cybersecurity, data protection reform and the future development of the Justice and Home Affairs area. The debate on each of these topics is summarised as follows.

Immigration and Asylum

The first item discussed was the Commission's fourth Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum which sets out the main developments in this area at EU level and within Member States. Ministers were asked to discuss a number of questions, viz : how the EU's migration policies could best assist economic recovery and growth and how the contribution of migrants could be maximised; whether greater intra-EU mobility opportunities for third country nationals could help to ensure a workforce that is better able to respond to market needs; and what the Council's priorities should be in light of the report's findings.

There was general agreement that while legal migration - and particularly that of highly qualified workers - should be promoted, the existing labour force in the EU should also be utilised to the maximum extent. It was emphasised that EU migration policy should be based on labour market needs. Ministers also agreed on the importance of concluding negotiations on the several 'live' proposals concerning legal migration.

In the asylum area, ministers welcomed the agreement that the Irish Presidency had brokered on the Common European Asylum System. It was also agreed that solidarity between Member States should be further encouraged, and that an effective returns policy, including the proper implementation of existing readmission agreements, should be ensured by all parties.

Syria

The next item discussed was the situation of persons displaced to neighbouring countries as a result of the conflict in Syria. Ministers expressed deep concern at this humanitarian crisis and welcomed the Commission's initiative of developing a Regional Protection Programme and a comprehensive assistance package. It was agreed that the resettlement of refugees, while important, should not be the sole means of alleviating the crisis and that the neighbouring countries should receive additional supports. Ministers also agreed that Syrian refugees who have already entered the EU should, in comparable situations, be assessed in the same way in all Member States.

Cybersecurity

Discussion on this topic acknowledged the huge benefits of digital technology but also the increasing rate of cybersecurity incidents which pose a threat to EU governments, businesses and citizens. Ministers were asked to discuss how co-operation could be strengthened to prevent such incidents, and what measures could be taken to enhance the capacity of law enforcement authorities to tackle this scourge. Ministers welcomed the debate as timely and expressed strong support for an integrated approach to include improved information-sharing, training, and strategic partnerships with the private sector, with third countries and with other key stakeholders. The importance of co-ordinated actions was emphasised along with the need for concrete measures to improve co-operation, including examining the issue of criminal sanctions.

Future development of the JHA area

Discussions on this topic focused on the successor to the Stockholm Programme, which ends in 2014. Ministers were asked to debate the changes in the area of freedom, security and justice since the adoption of the Stockholm Programme in 2009; which strategic priorities should be identified for the next multi-annual programme; and which principles should guide this work (including whether the policy and financial cycles should be aligned).

Ministers agreed, inter alia , that the next programme should be strategic in focus and avoid a long catalogue of actions; should provide for fast and effective responses to crisis situations; should build on lessons learned from the current programme; and should be linked to the budgetary cycle. It was considered that relevant agencies should also be consulted.

Data Protection reform

Finally, Ministers debated the role of the European Data Protection Board as provided for in the draft Data Protection Regulation. There was broad support for the proposed Board as one of the main vehicles for achieving a more coherent and streamlined application of data protection standards across the Union. However, it was concluded that the Board's powers should be the subject of further deliberations at Council Working Party level.