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On 23 July 2025, Colm Brophy, Ireland’s Minister of State for Migration, attended an informal meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Copenhagen, hosted under the Danish EU Presidency. The agenda focused on organised crime, violence against children, and data protection reform.
👥 Tackling Organised Crime
Ministers discussed strategies to combat family-centred organised crime groups and emphasized the need for cross-border cooperation. Minister Brophy highlighted Ireland’s efforts to strengthen ties with priority third countries, which recently led to the arrest and extradition of a senior figure in a major Irish criminal network:
“Tackling serious and organised crime in all its forms is a top priority for the Irish Government.”
🧒 Protecting Children from Violence
The meeting addressed corporal punishment, detection of abuse, and justice system support for children. Minister Brophy reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment:
“All forms of corporal punishment of children have been definitively outlawed since the passing of the Children First Act 2015.”
He also stressed the urgency of finalizing the EU child sexual abuse regulation, citing Ireland’s active role in negotiations.
🔐 Data Protection and Digital Regulation
Ministers explored potential simplifications to the GDPR, aiming to balance competitiveness with privacy rights. Brophy underscored Ireland’s support for a regulatory environment that fosters both innovation and fundamental rights:
“It is important that the EU gets the balance right on AI, Data Protection and digital regulation in general.”
The Copenhagen meeting forms part of ongoing EU efforts to strengthen justice cooperation and address emerging challenges across member states.
You can read the full press release from Ireland’s Department of Justice here.
