European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council
Michael McDowell, President
Michael McDowell is the Minister for Justice, Equality, and Law Reform for the Republic of Ireland and became president of the JHA Council when Ireland began its six-month-long presidency of the European Council on January 1, 2004. The following is excerpted from February 11, 2004, European Parliament debate on Progress in Implementing the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice in 2003. The Irish presidency is very conscious of the significance of this year for the Union and also for the creation of an area of freedom, security, and justice. The key objectives of our presidency are to make progress on…