We have not received copies of the agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on the processing and transfer of passenger name record data by air carriers to the United States Department of Homeland Security which is to be debated later. Could the Minister arrange that it be placed in the Oireachtas Library as soon as possible in order that Members may read it? The debate is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Business of Dáil.
Yesterday evening I gave a copy of a briefing note to the Whip's office for distribution to the Opposition.
I am not referring to the briefing note but to the actual agreement.
I will try to arrange that. I thought it was available but I am not sure if the final document is available.
Could we be informed as soon as it is available because the relevant spokespersons will be in the Chamber for the day?
I apologise. I thought it was available.
It is essential that we see the agreement which we are supposed to scrutinise. The briefing note was very brief and ambiguous. We cannot approve an important and sensitive agreement such as this without at least having sight of it. We owe it to the people who voted for the Amsterdam treaty to subject this agreement to a comprehensive analysis before voting on it.