Vol. 509 No. 1
277 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Government's position regarding the extraordinary meeting of the European Council in Tampere, Finland; whether Ireland will support any changes to the national interpretation of the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19869/99]
The meeting of the European Council which will take place in Tampere this week will deal with all aspects of the policy to do with justice and home affairs matters. The Presidency has indicated that discussions will focus on immigration, asylum and related issues, combating cross-border crime, closer co-operation in civil law maters and on how best, in dealing with non EU states, issues of concern in justice and home affairs matters can best be addressed.
The objectives of the Union in these areas are set out in the Amsterdam Treaty – in the case of police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters in Title VI of the TEU and in the case of visas, asylum, immigration and other policies related to free movement of persons, Title VI of the TEC.
In the Government's view this meeting of the European Council provides a welcome opportunity to set, at the highest political level, priorities in areas which are of major concern to European citizens.
While there will, obviously, be discussion on asylum and related matters it is not anticipated, given the wide agenda and the need for the European Council to also discuss drug trafficking, money laundering, the right of victims of crime, access to justice, crime prevention, civil law co-operation that there will be detailed discussion of the definition of a refugee during the council meeting.
