Whilst the UK is not fully signed up to the FRONTEX Agency, or the new Border and Coast Guard; it has played an active and supportive role in the Agency’s operations over the years; and I very much hope this relationship can continue.

Data is the lifeblood of the global economy. New Data Protection legislation has thankfully ended up with far more sensible and workable ideas related to consent, fines, notification periods, scientific research, direct marketing and legitimate interests, and derogations for small and medium-sized businesses.

The Passenger Name Records (PNR) Directive is an example of where we need more European cooperation, where we can pull together to protect our citizens against people who do not respect any legal boundaries or the rule of law. I ask the Parliament and its Members at the vote tomorrow to make a responsible decision, to restore some trust in our institutions by making the right decision.

Rarely have there been tougher times than the EU is facing now, so it's a tough time hold the presidency.

I would like to thank the Presidency for all of their work and cooperation in helping reach a conclusion on the EU-PNR Agreement.

  Timothy welcomed a number of the initiatives taken by those representing our interests at the Valetta Summit in Parliament today and insisted that Valetta should be seen as only a starting point for the further and more ambitious agreements we must arrive at in the future.  

Our rights and our freedoms must always be the compass which guides society.  These rights must always be defended with equal force to that which we use to defend our borders and our safety.

This week in Strabourg I updated colleagues in the European Parliament on my successful Anti-Money Laundering Report

This week in Strasbourg I made a speech during a debate about the political situation in Hungary

Europe must act decisively. Every effort should be made to save lives, create stability in conflict regions, and assist Member States overwhelmed by the challenges they face; but many in this Parliament believe that the solution lies in more forms of legal migration and binding quotas.