Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I note that Ireland is bound by the EU passenger name record directive so it makes full sense for us to opt in. What is at stake here is data exchange. In time, it will lead to increased police co-operation, prevention, detection, powers of investigation and, ultimately, one would hope, prosecution where terrorist offences and serious crimes are concerned. Overall, this is a very good measure and I hope there will be no opposition to it. I see it as a very positive measure.

I am convenor and chairman in the Houses of the Oireachtas of the Ireland-South Korea parliamentary committee. We had a meeting yesterday attended by the South Korean ambassador. We had an excellent meeting. There are many areas of co-operation. I do not intend to use all my speaking time here but I wish to make one point because it is important that it gets read into the Dáil record. The most beautiful tapestry, which was shown here in the Houses at some point - I believe the Ceann Comhairle has seen it - commemorates seven Irish priests who were martyred during the Korean War. They were seven Columban missionary priests, one of whom, Father Tommie Cusack, was from my county of Clare. Very little is known about these priests in Ireland but they are revered in Korea, where there are shrines and streets named after them. Now they will finally be recognised in state buildings there with a tapestry presented yesterday. I know I have gone off on a tangent but it is important that the event that took place yesterday is recognised. The tapestry is on a tour of key sites in Korea and on St. Patrick's Day will be brought to one of the state buildings, where it will hang permanently in exhibition.

Overall, this is a good measure we should opt into. It makes sense. The more the EU can co-operate with third countries, the better. I note there is an agreement like this with Australia and other countries. The more of these arrangements we have, the better. We live in a global society these days. Many people growing up nowadays will not live in their local communities, towns or villages when they are older but will live in the four corners of the earth and it is important that we are able to share details about people who move across borders, particularly those who try to live beyond the law. The more data-sharing we have with other countries in that regard the better.

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