Liberal group again threatens to derail Passenger Name Records

The Liberal Group in the European Parliament could yet again seriously postpone if not kill the adoption of the critical EU Passenger Name Records (PNR) proposal after its lead MEP tabled an amendment that – if adopted – would send the whole agreement back to the negotiating table.

The Liberal Group in the European Parliament could yet again seriously postpone if not kill the adoption of the critical EU Passenger Name Records (PNR) proposal after its lead MEP tabled an amendment that – if adopted – would send the whole agreement back to the negotiating table.

Sophie in’t Veld MEP, the Liberal group lead MEP on PNR, has tabled an amendment to Thursday’s vote, calling for the automatic exchange of PNR data across the EU. If adopted the amendment would sink the agreement reached between Mr Kirkhope and EU governments last December, and would probably lead to the entire negotiation having to start anew.

Amendments have also been tabled by the Green groups and GUE groups who have traditionally opposed PNR.
European Parliament PNR rapporteur and European Conservatives and Reformists group home affairs spokesman Timothy Kirkhope MEP said:

“This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing amendment that looks perfectly innocent but is clearly designed to sink the PNR deal. If it is passed the whole agreement between the European Parliament and European governments would collapse.

“Under the PNR deal all of the relevant PNR data will be shared amongst EU governments. Those who claim to not want any collection of personal data now seem quite happy to have it scattered across the EU when there is no clear case for it. This amendment is yet another smokescreen.

“MEPs need to understand that any amendment to this agreement would delay it substantially and probably kill the proposal altogether. They need to understand the stakes during Thursday’s vote. After five years we have a very good, balanced agreement. If MEPs want to vote against it then that is for them to justify, but they should come out and say so, not pretend to be pro-PNR whilst doing whatever they can behind the scenes to stop it.”