European Union (Approvals) Bill

The European Union (Approvals) Bill (HC Bill 121) aims to approve two draft EU Council decisions and one draft decision of the European Council (the EU Heads of State and Government).

• The first draft decision provides for the electronic version of the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) to be the authentic and legally recognised edition of the OJ.

• The second draft decision provides for a new Multiannual Framework for the EU Fundamental Rights Agency to operate from the beginning of 2013 until the end of 2017.

• The third draft decision maintains the number of European Commissioners at one per Member State, as requested by the Government of Ireland as a condition for ratifying the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Primary legislation is needed for all three draft decision in accordance with the provisions of the European Union Act 2011 before the UK Government can support their adoption in the EU Council.