Vol. 547 No. 1
986 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Data Protection Commissioner is under-resourced and as a consequence cannot take prosecutions against people who are not registered under the Data Protection Act, 1988. [2066/02]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Data Protection Commissioner's Annual Report 2000 which was presented to the Oireachtas in September 2001, in which the Data Protection Commissioner made reference to the under-resourcing of his office. The staffing of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has been addressed. The sanction of the Department of Finance has been obtained for additional staff for this office and the filling of the posts is ongoing.
987 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately half of the Members in Dáil Éireann are registered under the Data Protection Act 1988; the steps he will take to ensure that Members will be registered and comply with the law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2067/02]
I can inform the Deputy that, under existing legislation, registration with the Data Protection Commissioner, if required, is the personal responsibility of each Member of the House. Section 16 of the Data Protection Act, 1988, sets out the types of persons required to register.
I can further inform the Deputy that the Data Protection Commissioner is an independent officer who performs the functions as outlined in the Data Protection Act 1988. I, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have no function in regard to the enforcement of the registration provisions of this Act.
