Opposition to air travel data exchange disappoints Flanagan

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has said he is "disappointed" that a number of Irish MEPs have opposed a new EU directive on the exchange of air passenger information which aims to help counter terrorism.

Speaking in Brussels on Thursday on his way into an emergency meeting of foreign affairs ministers on the Ukraine crisis, Mr Flanagan said he believed it was important that "every effort" is made to exchange information within the EU.

"I am disappointed that some of the Irish members of the European Parliament have expressed reservations," he said. "I believe that it is important that every effort be made to exchange information, particularly in times of crisis in Europe, where there is a terrorist threat."

He added: "I'm pleased that the four Fine Gael MEPs , my colleagues, are taking an initiative in that regard, and I would hope that the Parliament as a whole acts on this matter positively and actively at the earliest opportunity."

Directive proposed

The European Commission proposed a directive on the exchange of air passenger information almost three years ago, but it has been blocked by the European Parliament over concerns about data privacy .

The terrorist attacks in Paris have given renewed impetus to the legislation. Sinn Féin’s three MEPs are opposed to the legislation, while Fine Gael’s four MEPs are in favour of the new law. A number of Irish independent MEPs have also expressed reservations about its impact on data privacy.

Last week, Mr Flanagan called on Ireland’s MEPs to take a lead role in expediting the passage of the proposal through the European Parliament. The Guardian this week reported that the European Commission was preparing a revised proposal which would introduce more stringent data submission requirements from passengers travelling by air.

Russia sanctions

EU foreign ministers are meeting today in Brussels to consider an extension of sanctions against Russia, following last weekend’s escalation of violence in Ukraine. In the first stand-off between the new Greek government and its EU partners, Syriza said earlier this week that it opposed an extension of sanctions on Russia, with Greek officials in Brussels refusing to agree to back sanctions ahead of today’s meeting.

A draft communiqué seen by The Irish Times, states that “in view of the worsening situation.. the Council agrees to extend the restrictive measures targeting persons and entities for threatening or undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

However, an earlier reference to extending the sanctions to December has been omitted, following the EU’s failure to secure the support of all 28 members.

Greek debut

Greece's new foreign minister Nikos Kotzia is attending the meeting. In a blog post earlier today Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis said his party's comments had been misinterpreted by the media. He said this his complaint had been about a lack of consultation about the sanctions, not the sanctions themselves.

Speaking on his way into the meeting, Mr Flanagan said it was important that the EU responds “with one voice” to Russia.

“The situation is at crisis level in Ukraine and it’s absolutely essential that the EU responds with one voice in a firm way with one voice,” he said.

He noted that more than 5,000 people had been killed since last April, while more than half a million had been put out of their homes including 100,000 children.

“It’s a real humanitarian crisis,” he said.

Mr Flanagan said he was looking forward to meeting the new Greek foreign minister. “I look forward to hearing his contribution this afternoon but I would say that it’s of great importance that the EU take a firm position this afternoon and that we do speak with one voice .”