Question of the week: Is the creation of a network to share criminal records between the three countries a good idea?

Date: 22/07/04

SPAIN, France and Germany have decided to create a network of criminal records. UK Socialist MEP Arlene McCarthy is a member of the European Parliament's legal affairs committee.

We asked her: Is the creation of a network to share criminal records between the three countries a good idea?

McCarthy: I welcome anything that member states can do to improve cooperation between the judicial authorities to protect our citizens.

We already have bodies such as Eurojust and Europol to tackle cross-border crime, but these are still at the embryonic stage and have not really taken off yet.

Shortcomings in the current system have again been underlined, this time by the case of the Franco-Belgian serial murder investigation.

There are loopholes in the system of tackling cross-border crime which are constantly exploited by serious criminals, not least child abusers.

These have got to be closed and I will be pleased if this new scheme helps to achieve that.

However, I do have some reservations, not least about the fact that it appears to involve just three member states.

If it is just a pilot scheme that may be rolled out to all other EU members, that is fine.

But if it is going to be confined to just these three countries, then I would not be at all pleased.

Tackling cross-border crime has clearly got to involve all 25 member states, otherwise it will not be effective.

The proposed system, which involves the swapping and sharing of information, also raises important questions about civil liberties.

We must ensure that our commitment to civil liberty issues contained in our treaties is respected.

Spain, France and Germany have decided to create a network of criminal records.