EU data share to identify suspects
The parliament is examining proposals for the sharing of passenger name record (PNR) data among members states. They have been revised in light of the terror attacks in France and Belgium in January.
While some countries such as Britain have a PNR system in place, Ireland does not have a system whereby gardaí can check airline passenger details for security purposes.
The proposal has been dogged by concerns from civil liberty groups and data protection watchdogs.
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A previous proposal was rejected by the parliament in 2013.
PNR data provides information such as travel dates and itinerary, ticket information, contact details, baggage information, and payment details.
Writing in the Garda Review, the journal of the Garda Representative Association, Mr Hayes said he supported the revised proposals.
“They strike a good balance between supporting law enforcement in the fight against serious crime and terrorism while at the same time providing reassurance to citizens as to their privacy and data protection rights,” he said.
- The proposals came before the Civil Liberties Committee in February.
“PNR data would enable law enforcement authorities to identify previously ‘unknown’ persons, ie those previously unsuspected of involvement in serious crime or terrorism, but whom an analysis of the data suggests may be involved in such crime and could be further investigated,” Mr Hayes said.
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