Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome to the House. She outlined very clearly in her contribution the reasons we should support this proposal. On behalf of the Fianna Fáil grouping, I will certainly do so. Senator Ward mentioned a high-profile case that was in the media recently. If one were looking for an example of a high-profile case where co-operation among police forces throughout the world is vitally important, that is not a bad place to start.

The Minister mentioned, and it is hugely important, that where citizens' information is being shared with others, be it a police force or otherwise, the rights of those citizens would be protected. She outlined clearly in her contribution that this would be the case. The fight against crime is on a global pitch. There needs to be co-operation between police forces throughout the world within legitimate democracies, where information can be shared freely, and that we have the confidence and security in the knowledge that the information will be treated in a sensitive manner.

I will not hold the debate up; I just have a couple of quick questions. Is there a timeframe within which this proposal will be reviewed? Does our closest neighbour, the UK, have a similar arrangement with the EU, which would include Ireland, or what is the position in that regard?

In summary, it is in the public interest to have as much co-operation as possible among police forces throughout the world, and this proposal is an extension of that. The motion is to be welcomed and I thank the Minister for bringing it before the House.