Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It does involve engagement in police co-operation and there may well be other areas as well where we will engage in co-operation.

I acknowledge the point Deputy Daly makes about the data protection issues. It is important that data protection be upheld in respect of any further development of these systems. Members will be aware that SIS II is supervised by the European Data Protection Supervisor. The supervision is allocated to the data protection authorities in each member state, so any concerns that people might have about any perceived transgressions in respect of data protection can be can allayed on the basis that when Ireland connects to SIS II the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner will be obliged to investigate any complaints that might be received.

I add to that the fact that we have already undergone Schengen evaluation in the area of data protection, so any concerns that Deputies might have can be addressed by assurances on the part of the Office of the Data Protection Commission here. Ireland will not be participating in ETIAS or VIS and EES on the border aspects of SIS II. The legal solution that we have agreed explicitly provides that we can participate in the regulation without having to opt in to the underlying Schengen acquis. Ireland is not a party to either the visa aspects or the border aspects of the Schengen framework and that position will not in any way be affected or impacted upon by this regulation.