Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the members' observations and apparent support, notwithstanding some concerns they raised. The concern that has most exercised members of the committee appears to be the implications or otherwise of the withdrawal of our nearest neighbour, the UK, from the EU. It has always been the case that Ireland and the UK co-operate closely on immigration matters, particularly those relating to our common travel area. This arrangement is unique in the EU and it is fair and reasonable to suggest that this will continue. Indeed we will continue to strengthen our co-operation, notwithstanding the imminent withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Hopefully, our common travel arrangements will be fully protected. The indications from the negotiations to date are to that effect. Both the Irish and UK Governments are on record as saying that our commitment to ensuring that there is no return to what has been called hard borders on the island on the Ireland continues.

There are excellent relations, which will continue at political and official level on enhancing the operation of the common travel area. We are committed to this continuing. The amended regulation will take effect from 2020. At that stage we will have a clearer picture on the matter of the withdrawal of the UK from the Union.

In respect of the concerns of Deputy Ó Laoghaire on the matter of data, as this particular amendment has no implication for Ireland, our data protection or data retention regime will not change. There is the European data protection supervisor, that being the competent authority, with which we have already agreed to engage in the matter of our engagement with Europol, and this will not change. I will be happy to keep the committee further advised in the event of there being any issues of concern as raised by Deputy Ó Laoghaire. The European travel information and authorisation system applies to non-visa required third-party states. I do not see how there would be implications that might in any way cause a concern in respect of the privacy of personal data of any of our citizens, having regard to what is before us.