Minister Frances Fitzgerald says the attacks in Paris have encouraged more joined up thinking between EU member states.

European Justice Ministers have now agreed to share 'passenger name record' data for the prevention, detection, and prosecution of terrorist offences.

It's the first time an agreement of this kind has been reached - and Minister Fitzgerald says it is long overdue.

"It takes quite a lot of talk to get the kind of engagement across countries to share databases," she said.

"It's part of our security and we have to engage. We're building up a better response I would say," she added.

A number of countries, including France and Germany, have already reintroduced passport checks at their borders in response to the refugee crisis and the Paris attacks.