Minister McEntee attends meeting of EU Home Affairs Ministers (JHA) Council in Luxembourg

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD represented Ireland at a meeting of EU Home Affairs Ministers held in Luxembourg today (13 June 2024).

Topics considered by the Ministers at the meeting included the future of EU Visa Policy, the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and the extension of the protection of the Temporary Protection Directive for displaced persons from Ukraine.

Speaking on the latter topic, Minister McEntee stated:

“Political agreement on the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive until March 2026, which will be formally adopted at a later date, is an important demonstration of continued solidarity and support for Ukraine at a time when innocent civilians including children and vulnerable persons continue to be displaced from their homes as a direct result of ongoing Russian aggression.

A decision to extend for one further year will also provide some much-needed certainty to beneficiaries of temporary protection who are currently residing in the EU.

Ireland supports a harmonised EU-wide approach to exiting temporary protection, so that when temporary protection does end, it does so consistently and appropriately across the EU. Ireland remains supportive of the European Commission’s role in leading the dialogue on exit strategies.

Recommendations from the High-Level Group (HLG) on access to data for effective law enforcement were also presented to Ministers.

Speaking on this agenda item, Minister McEntee said:

“The ability to lawfully access communications is an important tool in combatting serious crime and protecting the security of the State, and of the Union. Ireland welcomes the Report of the High-Level Group and looks forward to further work assessing the individual recommendations and identifying the proposals to be advanced as a priority. Ireland strongly supports the adoption of an EU-wide data retention law. I believe our law enforcement agencies must be fully equipped with strong laws and modern technology to do their job. We cannot have analogue law enforcement agencies in a digital age.

Speaking in relation to a proposed new EU regulation laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse, the Minister said:

“I welcome the continuing discussion on the need to secure approval on a new law to prevent and combat child sexual abuse material. There is an epidemic of child sexual abuse online and it is essential that we take effective action at EU and national level to protect children from this heinous crime and to bring perpetrators to justice. This cannot happen if the right to privacy is treated more seriously than the rights of children to be safe. Online platforms must be empowered, and where necessary compelled, to take action. We have a responsibility to ensure that law enforcement keeps pace with technological developments and online platforms cannot be a hiding place for those who are carrying out this terrible crime. We need robust and radical action at EU level. Online platforms have a responsibility to protect children and it essential that they build safety into the design of their platforms. I commend Commissioner Ylva Johansson for her leadership and work in this area, and look forward to seeing further progress on this proposed regulation.

Referring to the Migration and Asylum Pact, the Minister said:

“The EU Migration and Asylum Pact will strengthen the external border of the EU. It will provide for mandatory processing times, accelerated processing for certain people, better screening at EU borders, access to EU databases for security checks, and easier returns of those who don’t have a right to be here. Following the Government’s decision to opt into the Pact, I will shortly seek Dail and Seanad approval. Subject to motions being passed in both houses, I will begin preparing Irish legislation.”

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