Government to collect passenger data for EU flights under new plan

The Department of Justice said the move would help 'to detect suspicious travel patterns and identify criminals and terrorists'

The EU directive also provided the option for member states to extend the requirements to airlines in respect of 'intra-EU flights' — flights operating within the EU. File picture 

Passenger data of people flying in and out of Ireland from the EU will be collected by the Government under a plan agreed at Cabinet.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan on Tuesday secured Government approval to draft amendments to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026.