Minister welcomes EU criminal database

An EU-wide criminal database is being set up to fight crime across member states.

The new European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) will allow information on suspects to be shared between police authorities, judges and prosecution officials.

Data from criminal justice systems in 27 member states will be stored on the software and readily accessed when required.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said the database would underpin the security of Irish and EU citizens.

“This will give fast and efficient exchange of information on previous convictions of criminals. This is a vital tool in combating trans-border criminals,” he said.

The ECRIS was agreed by EU justice ministers in Brussels and later approved by the Government.

Mr Ahern added: “We need this to provide adequate responses to crime but also to prevent new crimes from being committed.”

A 2006 EU Commission study found that the exchange of information between member states was unreliable.