Strengthening detection of suspicious air travel patterns

The amendments to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 will strengthen Ireland’s ability to detect suspicious travel patterns and identify criminals and terrorists operating within the EU and travelling to and from Ireland by air.

Currently Passenger Name Record (PNR) data only extends to those flying to and from Ireland from outside the EU. The amendments will bridge that security gap and ensure Ireland’s PNR regime aligns with a judgment of the European Court of Justice of the EU on the EU PNR Directive, re-enforcing strict controls on PNR data usage.

The amendments concern the statutory regime allowing for the processing of PNR data by the Irish Passenger Information Unit within the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

The collection and analysis of PNR data is a widely used law enforcement tool in the EU and elsewhere.

Additionally, PNR data consists of information provided by passengers, which is collected by and held in the airlines’ reservation and departure control systems for their own commercial purposes.