The use of EU member states for rendition flights means any new deal between Europe and the US over passenger lists must involve a two way flow of information, Fine Gael Foreign Affairs spokesman Bernard Allen said today.
The TD said any deal regarding the release of European Union air passenger listings to the US should ensure the transatlantic flow of information was not one-sided.
The European Court of Justice had recently rejected the legal basis for the agreement relating to the transfer of data on all air passengers travelling to the US from the EU, he said.
That meant the May 2004 agreement, which determined that all air carriers must transfer air passenger information to the US Department of Home Security, would cease to apply from September 30 — 90 days after the court ruling, he said.
The European Commission was now beginning a process of negotiating a new deal with the US over the transfer of passenger lists. "In setting out the parameters for any new agreement, I believe that the European Commission should ensure that a reciprocal level of information is also supplied by the US authorities and air carriers to EU Member States," said Mr Allen.
He added: "Huge public concern has been expressed with regard to the use of EU member state facilities for possible rendition flights. "The rendition scandal has highlighted the need for the release and scrutiny of passenger listings, and this should form part of any new EU-US negotiation on the exchange of information.
"Fine Gael has called for full passenger listings on all flights using Irish facilities, whether commercial or privately chartered, to be released to the relevant authorities."
Mr Allen also said there must be absolute certainly as well, that where the transfer of personal data took place, the right of the individual to privacy was maintained. end