Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1121. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recent implications for Ireland as a result of European Union proposals to transfer and process passenger name record data between Canada and the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38637/13]
View answerPassenger Name Record (PNR) data is information relating to passengers and their travel which is collected and held by air carriers. PNR data is a tool of proven value to law enforcement services in countering terrorism and serious crime, increasingly for example in trafficking in drugs and people.
This proposed Agreement makes provision for the transmission to the Canadian authorities of PNR data collected by airlines flying between EU airports and Canada. Under the Agreement the purpose of processing of the PNR data is strictly limited to preventing, detecting, investigating and prosecuting terrorist offences and serious transnational crime.
Ireland supports the proposed Agreement which is among a series of measures being taken at EU level in the fight against terrorism and serious transnational crime. The EU has recently concluded and signed similar PNR agreements with Australia in 2011 and with the US in 2012. Ireland opted in to both these Agreements in accordance with Protocol 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Under the proposed Agreement, air carriers operating flights to and from Canada will be obliged to transmit the PNR data which they already collect to the Canada Borders Services Agency. The proposal therefore will apply to flights operating between Ireland and Canada. As with other PNR Agreements, the proposal contains a number of specific safeguards in relation to privacy and data protection, data security, oversight, accountability, transparency and rights of access to information, correction of errors and redress.
Any concerns surrounding the sharing of personal data have to be balanced against the potential value of PNR data in investigations into drug smuggling, human trafficking or international terrorism, and the importance of giving a clear demonstration of our continued support and solidarity with the international community in the fight against these activities
