A chara - On June 25th, the Government hurriedly added a motion to the Dáil schedule to approve an agreement between the EU and Australia on the exchange of passenger data information. Such an agreement has serious implications for data retention but the Dáil was given no time to examine the legislation in detail.
When questioned on the sudden urgency of this matter, the Taoiseach's response was that "in our briefing document, we indicated that the Slovenia Presidency of the Union is keen to finalise the agreement before its presidency concludes".
It should be noted that the briefing document referred to by the Taoiseach was circulated the evening before the motion was added to the Dáil schedule.
During the recent referendum many voters were concerned that Dáil Éireann might one day end up rubber-stamping EU legislation. That day has arrived. - Is mise,
E. F. FANNING, Churchtown, Dublin 14.