Brussels, 22/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 October, the European Parliament decided to challenge the Council of the EU over the agreement between the EU and Australia on the transfer of airline passenger dossier data (Passenger Name Record - PNR) originating from the European Union. On 30 June, the EU and Australia signed an agreement which is valid for a period of seven years, and which allows airlines to send 19 categories of data (name, address, credit card and passport numbers, etc) to the Australian Customs authorities (EUROPE 9694 and 9677). In the proposed recommendation by Sophia in't Veld (ALDE, Netherlands), which was adopted by 610 votes in favour, 29 against and 47 abstentions, the procedure followed for the conclusion of the agreement with Australia was criticised for its lack of democratic legitimacy. The MEPs observed that despite its renewed requests, the Parliament was at no point informed or consulted, as the method chosen was purely intergovernmental. During the debate which preceded the vote on the subject, Ms i't Veld also noted the absence of representatives of the French Presidency. MEPs take the view that from the beginning of the text agreement to its end, a huge range of purposes appears, making it impossible to establish whether the measures are justified and proportionate. MEPs also said that the agreement may not necessarily respond to the standard established both by the European Union and internationally concerning data protection. They therefore reserve the right to bring the matter before the Court of Justice of the European Communities if the legitimacy of the agreement should be called into question by a third party. MEPs also stressed that the exchange of diplomatic notes constitutes a method which is unacceptable to modify the list of services and agencies which may access the PNR data. They believe that the agreement concluded with Australia appears to be far more acceptable than other agreements concluded with other third countries, such as the United States. They feel that it is particularly positive that the data have been made anonymous and that the transfer and ultimate use of the data is limited. Lastly, MEPs remind the Council that in the event of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Parliament must be involved on an equal footing in the re-examination of all agreements with a PNR data dimension. "I would like to say to my fellow Irish EU citizens that, if you share my desire to end this undemocratic and untransparent decision-making, then please say yes to the new EU Treaty", said Ms in't Veld at the conclusion of the debate. (B.C./trans.fl)