Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

Sinn Féin has discussed previous motions in relation to the sharing of passenger name record data. This data is important for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of serious crimes and terrorist offences such as drug-related offences and human trafficking. This information forms a part of the broader management of our borders. International co-operation in the fight against crime is crucial, and the sharing of this information is a key aspect of that.

I raise with the Minister of State the fact that this data is not collected in respect of those travelling by ferry. The motion relates to an agreement between the EU and the Republic of Korea. Sinn Féin will not oppose it.

I will again make a number of points about what I see as an increased drift towards opting in under Protocol 21 of the Lisbon treaty and moving further away from the spirit of that protocol, which gave Ireland the right to opt out. Whenever the Irish people have voted on EU treaties, protecting and maximising Irish sovereignty have been to the fore of many people's concerns. That is why Protocol 21 is in place. I have a concern that since Britain, which was also covered by Protocol 21, left the European Union, there has been increased resistance, or perhaps it is a lack of courage, on the part of the Government to exercising our right to opt out of measures related to freedom, security and justice.

While it may be appropriate in this case to opt in under Article 3, it is crucial that protections of Protocol 21 annexed to the Lisbon treaty are not abandoned or watered down by always opting in under Article 3, when the option of opting in under Article 4 or opting out is available to Ireland. While this particular proposal may be clear and straightforward, we have seen the Government push through many Article 3 opt-ins where it is clear that the final proposal will be in Ireland's best interest. This is something I will talk about later this afternoon.

There is considerable travel in and out of the Irish State by ferry as well as by air. Sharing the PNR data is designed to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute serious crimes and terrorist offences. It appears to be an anomaly that this does not apply in the same manner to ferry passengers. This will encourage those seeking to evade PNR to take the ferry. Deputy Carthy raised this anomaly with the Minister when we last discussed a motion on the transfer of PNR. At the time, the Minister pointed out that the European Commission had published a feasibility study which examined the possible use of advance passenger information from land and maritime travel operators. Can the Minister of State give an update on plans to collect PNR data from ferries travelling in and out of Ireland?

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