But Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell, whose country holds the rotating EU president, said members states would seek a common approach to asylum seekers.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Asylum law 'to hit new EU states'

Last month, the Irish Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell announced a public inquiry into the IRA murders of the two senior RUC officers in 1989.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Pledge over Cory report

An unexpected challenge to the party leadership of Mary Harney, who is deputy prime minister and health minister, by Michael McDowell, the justice minister, was rebuffed.

ECONOMIST: Ireland's unpopular government: Bertie's blues | The

He will probably lead a minority centre-right coalition, backed by independents, in partnership once again with the Progressive Democrats, a small liberal party that managed to lose both its leader, Michael McDowell, and three-quarters of its deputies.

ECONOMIST: Bertie Ahern wins it once more for Fianna Fail

Last year, at Texas Motor Speedway, Michael McDowell hit an oil slick, slammed head first into the wall at a hundred and eighty miles per hour, flipped over and over, leaving much of his car in pieces on the track, and, when the vehicle finally came to a stop, crawled out of the wreckage and walked away.

NEWYORKER: Offensive Play

"Michael's achievements are an inspiration for us all, " said McDowell.

BBC: McDowell missed out on the US Masters earlier this year

Last June, New Zealand's Michael Campbell qualified at Walton Heath and then triumphed at Pinehurst a week later and McDowell is hoping to repeat the feat this year.

BBC: McDowell missed out on the US Masters earlier this year