Area of freedom, security and justice
Information
The area of freedom, security and justice includes issues such as asylum, immigration, border controls, judicial co-operation in criminal matters and police co-operation. The decision-making process in these areas is complex. Ireland and the UK are not obliged to be bound by decisions in this area but each may decide to be involved in particular issues – they may opt in or opt out of particular decisions.
The Treaty of Lisbon brings many of the decisions in this area into the ordinary legislative procedure. The opt-out for Ireland and the UK is continued. Ireland issued a declaration (which is not legally binding) that it proposes to opt in to decisions in this area to the maximum extent possible and to review the entire opt-out clause within 3 years.
Related Documents
- How EU decisions are made
The different ways in which EU decisions are made including qualified majority voting. - Free movement of people within the Schengen Area
The Schengen Agreement is an agreement brokered by certain European countries that allows people to travel between participating countries without having to show passports at internal borders. - Treaty of Lisbon
An outline of the main aspects of the Lisbon Treaty.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.