Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

The terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, 9/11, in New York and Washington DC have led to major changes in the way security matters are handled throughout the western world, not least in the United States. The need to monitor and control internal and international flights into, out of and over the United States has required the collection and analysis of vastly greater quantities of data relating to passengers on aircraft. The principal beneficiary is the United States but others who benefit are the passengers and aircraft crews, a significant number of whom come from this country as well as other member states of the European Union.

The US and other governments have long used passenger lists for screening passengers and persons already on watch lists before they depart on a journey. Since 11 September 2001, the focus has shifted towards thwarting potential terrorists who are thus far unidentified by using more of the detailed information collected by airlines and travel agencies when an individual books a flight. These passenger name records, PNRs, contain information such as travel itineraries and payment details that can be analysed in conjunction with current intelligence to identify high risk travellers before they board these planes.

The current EU-US interim agreement on the use of PNR data expires on 31 July. This interim agreement was approved by the Dáil and Seanad on 11 October 2006, as required under Article 29.4.6° of the Constitution. It is important that no legal vacuum is allowed to arise on expiry of the current agreement so that this might affect the ability of carriers to continue to operate transatlantic services.

I wish to pay tribute to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the role he has played in the Seanad, to wish him and all my colleagues well towards their re-election and to convey my best wishes to those not seeking re-election.