Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 8

Written Answers. - Breach of Housing Regulations.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

97 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a breach of security on the rental information provided to local authorities under the Housing (Registration of Rented Houses) Regulations, 1996, in which a telephone call to a local authority from a person purporting to be the landlord of a certain premises resulted in the confidential information provided by the landlord being given over the phone to the impostor; his views on whether the fears of such confidential information being disclosed, which were expressed at the time the Regulations were announced, have now been justified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12387/96]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Ms McManus)

I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 10, 22 and 26 of 9 May 1996. I am not aware of the circumstances to which the question relates or of any disclosure by a local authority of confidential information obtained in connection with the registration of rented houses. It is, of course, regrettable that any attempt would be made to obtain such information by fraudulent means.