Ireland backs British plans on terror internet data

IRELAND will push for a three-year retention period for email and internet data at today's emergency EU security meeting.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said he was "fully supportive" of British spy plans being sought following last week's terror attacks in London.

Ireland passed legislation earlier this year obliging telephone companies to retain land line and mobile data for three years.

The Terrorist Offences Act excluded electronic communication data, such as emails and internet use.

Proposals, to be discussed in Brussels today by the EU Justice Affairs Council, seek retention of both telephone and electronic data of all citizens across the union.

Ireland co-sponsored a draft framework decision calling for these measures last year with Britain, France and Sweden, but the European Parliament rejected them last month.

The parliament questioned whether it was "compatible with the principle of presumption of innocence".

The proposals to be put forward today are understood to oblige companies to keep traffic data for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three.

A spokeswoman for Mr McDowell yesterday said: "Ireland can support any agreement that does not conflict with the three-year retention period provided for in our legislation."

The Data Protection Commissioner, who monitors phone data retention, said any EU decision falling short of three years could have implications here.

"If it came out that a new decision from Europe has a two-year or less time period, that could put pressure on the Government here to revisit the three-year deadline period," said a spokesman.

Malachy Murphy of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties said they were opposed to a three-year retention.

"Six months is generally acceptable as it gives enough time after a major terrorist attack to capture data. Three years is too long as there is a huge amount of data that could be used for other purposes."

Mr McDowell's spokeswoman aid the EU framework decision and Irish legislation exclude access to the content of data. Mr McDowell also supports British proposals for more cooperation in tracking stolen explosives and stolen passports.