The information sought by the Deputy in relation to my Department is as set out in Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 19 December 1996 (Official Report, Vol. 473, cols. 796 to 797) with the following amendments:
Convention on the establishment of a European Police office (Europol), and its subsequent Protocol
Timetable for Implementation
Work on a Bill to enable Ireland to ratify the Convention and its subsequent Protocol is being given priority in my Department and I expect to be in a position to publish a Bill in the coming months.
Council Directive 95/46/EC on the Protection of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data and on the Free Movement of such Data
Timetable for Implementation
The Directive must be transposed into Irish law by 24 October, 1998.
The legislative measures needed to give effect to the Directive, which will involve changes to the Data Protection Act, 1988 will be brought forward as soon as possible with a view to enactment prior to October 1998.