Debate on the Use of Passenger Name Record data (EU PNR), during the EP plenary session (11-14 April 2016) in Strasbourg. Statements by Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Minister of Defence, Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Arnaud DANJEAN (EPP, FR), Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), Birgit SIPPEL (S&amp;D, DE), Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE), and Sophia IN'T VELD (ALDE, NL)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

STEVENS, Helga (ECR, BE)

SIPPEL, Birgit (S&D, DE)

IN 'T VELD, Sophia (Renew, NL)

PNR (T)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL, EC)

DANJEAN, Arnaud (EPP, FR)

VOSS, Axel (EPP, DE)

KIRKHOPE, Timothy (ECR, UK)

HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Jeanine (ALDE, NL)

Use of Passenger Name Record data (EU PNR): extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), Rapporteur , I can say with my hand on my heart that I'm proud on what we will vote on tomorrow. I know that we pushed for sound data protection provisions which mirror those of the data protection directive and provided specific rules for PNR data exchange; I know that we allowed for the ECJ judgement on retention to have resonance and to be on meaningful basis for any review. I know that we have retention periods which are proportionate and that we are collecting PNR data to combat holistic crimes, which we must prevent and we must prosecute.

SOUNDBITE (English), Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), By having a single set of rules at European level we close a legal loopholes criminals seek to exploit under different legal jurisdiction. By collecting and sharing same information's across the EU we make data comparable and relevant, we cut down the lengthy delays of exchanging information through bi-lateral agreements, allow for expediency which is so vital today in criminal investigations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Minister of Defence, Common EU rules will bring about a level playing field and to me this is important. A level playing field with more transparent procedures, a directive at EU level will harmonise member States legal proficient and avoid legal uncertainty as well security gaps, while at the same time safeguarding data protection.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, The European Commission will put pressure on Member States to implement as soon as possible. We cannot wait for 2 years, we have no time to loose.

SOUNDBITE (French), Arnaud DANJEAN (EPP, FR), PNR is not an indiscriminate mass surveillance technique, it is a selective instrument which is proportionate and which is also taking place in a very strict framework, it is perfectly legitimate for some of us to have concerns about need for vigilance.

SOUNDBITE (German), Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), I'm very struck by the number of amendments which have been launched, because we are facing a tremendous threat.

SOUNDBITE (German), Birgit SIPPEL (S&amp;D, DE), I can see why people want to vote in favour of this directive but I have to say that this text on the storage of passenger name records is incompatible with our fundamental rights and it is disproportionate and I cannot agree with it.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE), The vote on PNR has been dragged out unnecessarily for 5 years. Now it is time for groups to use their common sense and to focus on security on and above other considerations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN&apos;T VELD (ALDE, NL), We have had and we still have very difficult debates, but I'm actually quite proud of the Liberal group that we have that debate, that we have that discussion and doubt and that we don't take a position blind folded. That we are not dogmatic, or ideological or representing certain interest or opportunism. We have to confess that external pressure had been huge, the debate is often completely fact free, the lobby had been aggressive and sometimes immoral and there had been many 'ad hominem' attacks.