Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the European criminal records information system that has been operational for a number of years, going back to April 2012, and which is operated on an administrative basis by An Garda Síochána, what we are now doing underpins this system in statutory legislation that sets out the requirements of the framework decision. The fact that it has been operating on a non-statutory basis does not, in any way, affect the authority of An Garda Síochána or the legitimacy of the process because it comes under the framework decision as agreed.