Motion calling for airline and ferry companies to retain digital copies of passports withdrawn

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A motion calling for “legislation to be introduced to ensure airline and ferry companies retain digital copes of passengers passports under GDPR to be available to the Department of Justice” was withdrawn by the proposer, Cllr Michael Clarke after it failed to secure a seconder.

Speaking to his motion Cllr Clarke said, “We haven’t a notion who is living in Ireland or coming here,” adding, “The world is gone mad with wars, everyone wants to travel to a safe country like Ireland.”

Cllr Clarke added, “We’re like a banana republic, no borders. We are talking about our nation's security.”

Cllr Declan Bree expressed the opinion he thought information was retained for a short period of time while Cllr Ann Higgins said her experience does not align with Cllr Clarke’s comments. She said the process regarding passport control was “very comprehensive” in her experience. Saying she wouldn’t be supporting the motion she said, “I am concerned there is an underlined ethos behind it.”

Cllr Marie Casserly sounded a note of caution regarding the motion when she said, “We need to be very careful about what is said in this Chamber.”

Cllr Barry Gallagher said, “It is very concerning to hear this is happening,” adding, “We want to be very careful in relation to our wording.”

Cllr Clarke added at this point in the discussion, “Michael O’Leary confirmed he is not obliged to retain information. They do it in Australia, in America.”

Cllr Gino O’Boyle also voiced his opposition to the motion saying, “There is a lot of misinformation. You can’t get into the country and claim social welfare without registering.”

Cllr Bree also expressed his opposition to the motion commenting, “I don’t want Michael O’Leary holding my private information or my families or my constituents.”

Cllr Joe Queenan expressed some sympathy for the motion saying, “The mood of Irish people has changed since the start of the Ukraine war. I am not saying it is right or wrong, but the mood has changed.”

Cllr Edel McSharry also said she would not be supporting the motion insisting, “I prefer to work off facts rather than feelings. We need to seek clarity before supporting the motion.”

Cllr Fergal Nealon agreed, “We need firmer restrictions in terms of emigration, no doubt about that.” In terms of the issues raised by Cllr Clarke, Cllr Nealon said, “I don’t know this information.”

Cllr Seamus Kilgannon also passed up the opportunity to support the motion saying, “I would be of the opinion the authorities already have too much information on us.”

With no seconder for the motion, Cllr Clarke opted not to proceed with his motion stating, “I want to highlight the issue, we need to control borders. I am going to withdraw the motion.”

Standing order rules were checked to ensure this was acceptable and Cllr Clarke’s motion was subsequently withdrawn.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.