Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin supports this motion to opt into the Prüm convention decision for an extension on the time period to exchange DNA profiles, finger prints and vehicle data with the UK. In doing so, we wish to highlight a number of concerns, some of which relate to civil liberties and the need to subject the strictest oversight to particular types of technology that are associated with the measures contained in the Prüm Convention. For example, there are plans to build similar databases such as Eurodac, which traces migrants. This is a worrying development. However, Sinn Féin accepts the need for a co-ordinated, EU wide approach, including the post-Brexit UK, to deal with the threat posed by criminals.

The Prüm convention and decision are a series of measures that cover cross-border co-operation. This State is not a full signatory to the convention and decision but voluntarily opts in to certain aspects. This motion is an interim measure approving the sharing of data with the UK for a further period. Ironically, given the anti-EU Brexit obsession of the British Government in its desire to leave the EU, it was the one state, more than any other EU state, that used certain shared crime databases administered within the EU. As with so many areas, the disastrous Tory Government put the UK in the position of talking out of both sides of its mouth with the UK Government talking tough on crime while tying its own hands in trying to get the resources to do so. Where agreement is possible, however, we should enable it but not at any cost. The Taoiseach's approach on the protocol and Brexit more generally is to appeal to what he wrongly believes is pragmatism on the part of the British Government and the DUP. This approach has not worked and like everything to do with Brexit, the Irish Government must have its own view based on the needs of the people of Ireland, North and South, working in conjunction with the rest of the EU.

Cross-border criminal networks are becoming an increasing issue of serious concern with signs there is collaboration among the larger and better organised and more threatening criminal organisations. Accordingly, while it is important to expose the anti-Brexit contradictions in the British Government's approach to co-operation across the EU, the UK cannot be allowed to become a blind spot for crime within the EU. That is the risk the consequences of Brexit pose and this is a situation not of Ireland's making, North or South. We need to deal with the issues as they present themselves and in supporting this proposal, with the stated concerns, I believe we can do precisely that.