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

Every public representative will agree that we must support the policing and intelligence services in combating serious criminality of the type outlined by the Minister of State. She has also highlighted the need to balance the rights of citizens in order to ensure we assist in the ongoing war against serious criminality. Said criminality does not recognise borders, particularly in the context of its impact on victims. In the context of human and civil rights, is the Minister of State satisfied with what is contained in the agreement? It appears that the original agreement will be strengthened by the new version. Is the Minister of State satisfied with the protections provided for citizens. In the past the European Commission's legal service had concerns about the categories of offences on which information was required to be given. For example, a person who might have been convicted of an offence which was not that serious could have had his or her details passed on. Will the Minister of State clarify the position on the types of offences involved?

I am also seeking reassurance on data protection issues, particularly in the context of the information revealed by Edward Snowden during the past year. Of course, the policing and intelligence services should be given what they need in order to combat crime, but we must also ensure they do not have too much power and that a Big Brother-type scenario is not created. Will the Minister of State provide reassurance on the position in this regard.