EU Justice
and Home Affairs Ministers approved proposals on the mutual recognition of
protection measures in civil matters at a Justice and Home Affairs Council
meeting in Brussels today. Key Data Protection reforms were also discussed.
EU Justice
Ministers, led by Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan
Shatter TD, have reached agreement with the European Parliament on proposals
aimed at protecting vulnerable citizens as they move between Member
States. The proposal on mutual recognition
of protection measures in civil matters will ensure that a protection order,
such a barring order for domestic violence, can still be enforced if the victim
moves from one EU Member State to another.
The
agreement was reached on the second day of the Justice and Home Affairs
Council, chaired by Minister Shatter, which is taking place in Brussels from
7-8 March.
Speaking
after the Council, Minister Shatter said:
“The
agreement reached on the European protection order (civil) is an important step
in improving the rights of victims of crime in the EU and sends a strong signal
that crime, in particular gender based violence, harassment and intimidation,
is unacceptable in our society.”
The
Minister added:
“This was
very timely given that today is International Women’s Day and this is a
Regulation of exceptional importance to the lives of women, in particular, who
are more frequently victims of domestic violence. They will now be able to rely on protection
measures obtained from a national authority when they travel to other Member
States.”
Also on the
agenda for Justice Ministers were new proposals aimed at protecting the Euro
from counterfeiting and the reform of the EU’s data protection rules.
Achieving
progress on the proposed data protection reforms is a key priority of Ireland’s
EU Presidency. Minister Shatter sought
the support of his colleagues for the Presidency’s approach on a number of
issues in the proposals relating, in particular, to a risk based approach and
to flexibility for the public sector.
Following
constructive discussions on the data protection package the Minister commented:
“Updating
our data protection law is essential if the EU is to take full advantage of
opportunities available in the digital economy.
Individuals need to feel confident that they are protected doing
business online and businesses will benefit from the more streamlined and
simplified approach to regulation in the area.
Only in this environment will trade flourish and can Europe play a
leading role in the digital economy.”
Also agreed
at the Council was an EU wide ban on the manufacturing and marketing of the
psychoactive substance 4-methylamphetamine – so called 4-MA. Between 2010 and 2012, this substance was
linked to 21 fatalities in 4 Member States.
The decision represents a further step in the European response to
tackling the growth in harmful new psychoactive substances
across
Europe.
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