Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Ach an oiread lenár gcomhleacaithe, tá Sinn Féin i bhfábhar an dá rún seo. I have been briefed by Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, who is our spokesperson on these issues and was also at the meeting yesterday. He said there was a very good and robust debate around the issues and the fact we certainly need to give the necessary capabilities to the authorities to combat terrorism, drugs smuggling, human trafficking and so on but we also need to achieve a balance with human rights. Our opinion is that this does go another step from the 2005 agreement because it puts in place extra guarantees that passengers can now access their own data on these issues. In addition, other data protection issues are dealt with in the motions.

It is an important message we are sending out from the Seanad today. Our relations with Canada tend to get overshadowed by our relationship with the United States but Canada is a very important partner to us internationally. I have been to Canada on a number of occasions, and particularly on my first trip I spent some time just trying to get through the system when I landed initially, I appreciate why this is a very important move. In addition, however, the message we are sending to our comrades in Canada is very important and I welcome it on that basis. Beidh Sinn Féin ag tacú leis an dá rún.