merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD is
in Brussels today (Thursday) to attend a two-day meeting of EU Justice and
Home Affairs Ministers.

The meeting will focus on a number of key areas in the Justice and Home
Affairs area, principally in relation to security, counter terrorism and
the migration crisis.

Speaking in advance of the meeting The Tánaiste said:

"Our meeting over the next two days provides a welcome and important
opportunity to discuss again areas of common concern across the EU. The
meeting will deal with developments in relation to the counter terrorism
directive, which will criminalise more terrorist offences, extend the scope
of existing law, and reinforce the overall EU approach on
counter-terrorism.

The meeting also provides an opportunity at the end of 2016 to take stock
of how the EU is responding to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in
the area of migration, including discussions on migration and asylum. I
look forward to hearing from colleagues as to what is being done in their
countries and to briefing them on how Ireland's Refugee Protection
Programme (IRPP) is being progressed."

The Tánaiste will also take the opportunity to meet with the newly
appointed UK Minister for Policing and Fire Mr. Brandon Lewis, to discuss
areas of common interest.