McDowell defends EU exchange of personal details

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has defended the European evidence warrant, which allows EU states to exchange information on criminal records phone and bank details.

He was speaking after an informal meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in Dublin Castle.

The minister has said people could not be allowed to escape justice by fleeing to countries with more lenient criminal laws.

He has recognised that people would be cautious about such a proposal but he said these were the realities of a Europe without internal borders.