Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)

I know from speaking with my colleague, Deputy Jonathan O'Brien, that this motion is similar to others that have come before the House on similar issues. Last July we dealt with two similar motions: the first was an agreement between this State and the EU and the second was an agreement between this State and Australia. During the debate on these motions, Deputy O'Brien outlined the reasons Sinn Féin has opposed the implementation of passenger name record agreements. There is no doubt this proposal, like those before it, has far-reaching consequences for Irish citizens, particularly in the area of data protection.

From previous debates, the Minister will be very familiar with the concerns and the reasons Sinn Féin opposed PNR agreements and, therefore, I do not wish to waste time repeating the same arguments. However, I want to put the following on the record. This motion will see the transfer of data between Ireland and the US. Under the agreement, it is proposed that the Department of Homeland Security will be acting as the agency in the US which will be responsible for the retention and destruction of the personal data of Irish citizens which will be transferred. Many questions remain unanswered with regard to some of the accusations which have been levelled at the Department of Homeland Security. Let us be honest, it is not exactly the leading organisation in the area of human rights. We will not be supporting the motion.

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