Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The joint supervisory body will have an important function in overseeing all of this. The proposal refers to the fact that the existing regulations are strong and robust. It was stated that the level of data protection introduced by the proposed regulation, in view of the new competences of Europol, is a clear retrograde step compared to the existing level of data protection set out in the Europol Council decision. This is also the assessment of all national data protection authorities. That is strong criticism. It is not like some left-wing conspiracy. These are people who want to protect the integrity of the institutions. I have concerns about the proposal. Has the Minister engaged with this assessment? Has he considered the suggested amendments? My colleagues in the European Parliament wish to table amendments to this proposal in order to strengthen it. I am not convinced, however, that we can support this as it stands.