Justice: EU leaders shelved a proposal to remove national vetoes over decisions taken on justice matters in Europe yesterday, but agreed to come back to the issue later this year.
They also failed to reach an agreement on setting up a rights agency that would defend human rights and democracy throughout Europe.
Both issues prompted concerns from member states, such as Germany, Britain and Ireland, that the proposals would undermine their control over certain justice policy areas.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said: "We accept that there is a desire to make the justice and home affairs area more effective. The EU constitution provides for this. Therefore, we are very much opposed to anything that might amount to cherry-picking the European constitution." The European Commission recently proposed the removal of national vetoes over EU proposals to improve co-ordination in security, judicial and security matters. It argued that important EU initiatives are being held up by opposition from a handful of member states.
EU leaders agreed a lukewarm statement saying that the next EU presidency under Finland should explore the possibility of "improving decision-making and action" in the area. It is expected EU justice ministers will discuss the issue at an informal meeting in Tampere, Finland, in September and leaders will return to it in December.
Meanwhile, EU leaders failed to agree to set up the fundamental rights agency to police human rights and democracy. A decision to establish the agency was taken at a 2003 summit and a target date of January 1st, 2007, was set for it to begin work. It was hoped that today's European Council would sign off on an outline proposal but Germany, in particular, objected to the cost, jurisdiction and geographic scope of the agency.
Britain, Ireland and Slovakia also have concerns about its proposed legal power and jurisdiction and want further clarification. One EU diplomat said last night it would be difficult for the agency to become operational by the January 2007 deadline. The proposal is that would undertake studies on discrimination, racism, social and employment rights. Its remit could also include scrutinising police, judicial and security matters.