David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

That the motion was discussed by the justice committee does not matter. Many motions are discussed by Oireachtas committees, but they are referred back to the House for proper debate and scrutiny. This is the forum in which we should have such debates. The PNR data proposal marks the commencement of a broader scheme of PNR data collection, retention and assessment for regulation at EU level. It makes people subject to "extensive tracking, tracing and screening". The previous speaker mentioned a test of reasonableness. For this process to have credibility, the Minister and those who support the agreement must show it is proportionate and necessary. I do not believe it is. It is intrusive, particularly in the manner described by Senator David Norris. The war on terror has again been used as a reason to introduce these rules. "The war on terror" is a broad, sweeping expression. It resulted in a number of illegal wars perpetrated by the very people who are seeking this information. They were responsible for a number of illegal wars, rendition flights and torture. This proposal is not necessary or appropriate. We should safeguard people's rights and entitlements. The proposal contravenes the Constitution, Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as Articles 7 and 52 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. It flies in the face of many rights established at European level and domestically. I am not convinced by the reasoning given by the Minister that this is necessary. I agree with Senator David Norris that the type of information being passed on has no bearing whatsoever on what Senator Paul Bradford said the information would be used for. I fail to understand why such information would have a bearing on it.