98 Seek agreement by Government to a report to implement the recast Single Permit Directive

Goal 4 Strengthening our influence in Europe

Goal 4: Strengthening our influence in Europe

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Increasingly, many of Ireland’s laws and policies originate in EU negotiations and laws. Significant areas of policy responsibility for this Department, such as economic crime and corruption, violence against women and vulnerable victims, migration, privacy and international security, are a growing focus at EU level. Ireland’s active involvement in shaping policy discussions offers mutual benefit.

This will be achieved to protect citizens’ security, to combat crime and terrorism, to counter extremist ideologies, to support victims of crime, to uphold fundamental human rights, to safeguard the rule of law, and to maximise law enforcement cooperation, and the ongoing modernisation of justice systems across the entirety of the European Union.

Delivering this will be balanced with our other international commitments and our priority to further progress in particular the UN Declaration on Human Rights and relevant sustainable development goals. During the lifetime of this strategy the Department will embed consideration of the Government‘s Wellbeing Framework and other strategies into all aspects of our prioritisation and policy formulation.

This requires that we build stronger relationships, and deepen our alliances with EU member states and the Institutions. Strengthening our capability and capacity enhances our reputation as a committed member state, and will ensure that Ireland’s interests are understood, and our influence maintained to accommodate our legal and Constitutional framework.

The Department will develop skills and position resources to ensure a successful Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026, particularly in the policy domain of Justice and Home Affairs. We will develop an ambitious programme to progress during the Presidency, in line with Government policy.

Negotiating and shaping the development of policies and legislation by the EU at an early stage

A skilled Department leading a strong Justice agenda in Ireland’s EU Presidency in 2026.

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The timely adoption of relevant EU legislation through the Oireachtas into Irish law.

To implement the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and our commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

EU legislation developed consistent with Ireland’s interests and legal framework; transposed and successfully implemented.

Ireland valued for leadership on Human Rights and strong advocate for the rule of law in the EU and international communities.

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Justice objectives for Ireland’s EU Presidency achieved

Delivering on our commitments regarding the SDG implementation plan.

OBJECTIVES & 2024 ACTIONS		ACTION OWNER	DELIVERY DATE
Objectvi e - Negotai tni g and shaping the development of policies and legislatoi n by the EU at an early stage
99 Represent Ireland in negotiations on recast of Child Sexual Abuse Directive with view to securing robust new criminal laws on child sexual abuse, including its online dimension.		Criminal Policy	Q4
99.1	Commence a review on the existing penalties available for the sentences which are available for child sex abuse material and child sexual abuse, to ensure that those sentences match the heinous nature of the crimes being committed	Criminal Policy	Q4
100 Represent Irish policy and support Irish practitioners/stakeholders in meetings and activities associated with the Radicalisation Awareness Network and the network of EU prevention policy makers.		Criminal Policy	Q4
101 Engagement at EU level to secure changes in scope/content of Commission Proposal (2023) for a Directive harmonising national insolvency and bankruptcy laws		Civil Legislation	Ongoing
Objectvi e - The tmi ely adoptoi n of relevant EU legislatoi n through the Oireachtas into Irish law
102 Implementation of EU e-Evidence Package		Criminal Policy	Q4
102.1	Support the set-up of cross-Departmental implementation structure.	Criminal Policy	Q1
102.2	Contact various potential competent and central authorities under the package with view to familiarising them with its demands and discussing their potential roles.	Criminal Policy	Q2
102.3	Ofef r ongoing policy support to other implementation streams where required, including through liaison with European Commission and by feeding in information on other relevant developments in the e-Evidence area.	Criminal Policy	Q4
103 Commence work on the implementation of the EU Digitalisation Package on cross-border civil, commercial and criminal matet rs		Civil Policy/Civil Legislation	Ongoing
103.1	Engage with the European Commission, relevant Justice and other state agencies as appropriate to ensure appropriate representation from Ireland on and participation in EU Implementing Acts Committees	Civil Policy/Civil Legislation	Ongoing
103.2	Progress necessary legislation (transposing legislation, statutory instruments and rules of court) to underpin the Digitalisation Package	Civil Legislation	Ongoing
103.3	Apply for EU Funding as appropriate	Civil Policy/Civil Legislation	Ongoing
104 Consider policy options in advance of drafting of legislation and determine preferred policy approach relating to Ireland’s future participation in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO)		Criminal Policy	Q3