EU:EU justice ministers are expected to drop plans next month to allow police forces to cross national borders to prevent loss of life due to sensitivities over Northern Ireland.
Following intense negotiations in Brussels in recent weeks, all 27 member states have agreed to shelve a key part of new EU legislation designed to increase police co-operation.
The proposal to allow "hot pursuits" across national borders where life or limb is endangered is part of a package of measures designed to boost police co-operation. The draft law would also enable EU police forces to share fingerprints, DNA and vehicle-registration data more easily.
Britain and Ireland had asked for opt-outs from the "hot pursuits" proposal because they feared it could raise political tensions if the Garda and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) operated across the Border with Northern Ireland.
However, diplomats from both countries were concerned that "opting out" of the legislation would not send a positive signal about co-operation and trust between the police forces.
After hearing representations from Ireland and Britain over the Northern Ireland issue, EU diplomats from the other 25 member states agreed to drop the proposal altogether. However, all EU states, including Ireland and Britain, will introduce the data-sharing part of the law.
A British diplomat confirmed yesterday the proposal had now been dropped, citing sensitivities over some issues.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said cross-Border intervention by police would be considered by Ireland in the context of our participation in the Schengen Agreement. In practice, the Garda and PSNI already take part in jointly planned operations and co-operate on day-to-day matters.