Irish Presidency Programme and Priorities announced

On 1 January 2013, Ireland took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Ireland’s detailed Presidency Programme ‘For Stability, Jobs and Growth’ is available to read and for download at the Presidency websitewww.eu2013.ie. The core principles of the Presidency are:

• People-centred recovery, designed to last
• Investment in job-friendly growth and in Europe’s resources
• Europe and the world: a win-win engagement with our partners

In the field of Justice and Home Affairs, the key priorities of the Irish Presidency include:

• Seeking agreement on key aspects of the Data Protection package which is aimed at giving citizens more control over their personal data online.
• Supporting European economic recovery and growth through a number of proposals, including the European Account Preservation Order which is intended to facilitate cross-border business activity within the EU by reducing the risks associated with such activity.
• Working with the European Parliament to achieve the possible adoption of the Directive on the freezing and confiscation of proceeds of crime which will make it easier for authorities to confiscate and recover profits from cross-border organised crime