The Government yesterday officially informed the European Union of its decision to opt out of new structures for police and judicial cooperation provided for in the EU reform treaty but emphasised its commitment to co-operate to the maximum possible extent with the rest of the EU in the field of police co-operation, writes Stephen Collins, Political Editor .
In a letter to the Portuguese presidency the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, stated Ireland's firm intention to join with its EU partners whenever possible in measures in the field of judicial co-operation, criminal matters and police co-operation.
The text of a declaration by the Government on the opt-out provision was attached to the letter.
According to the declaration: "Ireland affirms its commitment to the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice respecting fundamental rights and the different legal systems and traditions of the Member States within which citizens are provided with a high level of safety.
"Accordingly, Ireland declares its firm intention to exercise its right under Article 3 of the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice to take part in the adoption of measures pursuant to Title IV of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to the maximum extent it deems possible. Ireland will, in particular, participate to the maximum possible extent in measures in the field of police co-operation."
The declaration also spelled out the intention of the Government to review the operation of the arrangements within three years of the treaty coming into force and referred to the fact that it may notify the president of the council that it no longer wished to be covered by the terms of the protocol.
The letter from Mr Ahern also emphasised that Ireland did not intend to avail of the opt-out on the Charter of Fundamental Rights along with Britain and Poland as it considered the document to be an important statement of the EU's values and of the rights of citizens vis a vis the union's institutions.
"I am pleased to confirm that Ireland does not intend to avail of its right as provided for in footnote 20 of the mandate for the Inter Governmental Conference to join the Protocol on the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights to Poland and the United Kingdom."