Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendments are problematic insofar as it is not clear how a report could outline the nature, purpose or value of the agreements. By nature and purpose, they are co-operation agreements on the exchange of information and it is unclear how the value of agreements, in general, can be assessed within an arbitrary period of three months. I am concerned the amendments have the capacity to undermine the purpose of the agreements being provided for and could also act as a disincentive to concluding the agreements. Moreover, the amendments apply only to co-operation agreements for which I am providing in the Bill, namely, a co-operation agreement with the Garda Síochána and a non-law enforcement agency in another jurisdiction, and a co-operation agreement between GSOC and a law enforcement agency or police ombudsman in another jurisdiction. I cannot accept the amendments as drafted.

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