EU data deal with Israel to go ahead

CONTROVERSIAL rules allowing Israel to access sensitive data, including passport details on EU citizens, will go ahead, the commission said, even though the Irish Government raised objections to the plan.

The data transfer deal, which is intended to help business and universities for contracts or job interviews purposes, was due to be agreed at a meeting of an EU committee yesterday.

But Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said the Government would not allow the deal to “go through on a nod” in light of the use of eight fake Irish passports by the alleged Israeli assassins of Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mahbhouh last year.