Shatter welcomes EU Commission’s Rule of Law proposals

Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter TD welcomed the EU Commission’s proposals for a three-stage Rule of Law Framework which were published on Tuesday (11 March 2014).

The Commission’s Communication follows the initiative taken by Minister Shatter during the Irish Presidency to put the need for a mechanism to better promote the Rule of Law and protect fundamental rights in the EU on the agenda of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers. This culminated in EU JHA Council Conclusions in June 2013 which asked the Commission to take forward a debate on the possible need for such a mechanism and report back with its recommendations.

Minister Shatter stated, “We will need to study in detail the proposed three-stage Framework which has just been published, but we are supportive and look forward to discussion with the Commission and other Member States over the coming months.”

“Our Presidency’s starting point in this area was concern at the apparent rise in xenophobia – including anti-Semitism and other extreme forms of intolerance, including racism and homophobia – within the European Union and the failure in some cases to respond adequately. As a second strand, we were concerned that justice institutions – the courts and police in particular – should function effectively and that the mutual confidence and solidarity between Member States is maintained. Thirdly, we were also concerned about ensuring coherence as between the internal and external dimension of EU human rights policy. It is of critical importance to our credibility in the EU that we are seen to practice what we preach.”

13 March 2014