Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
526. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the finding of inappropriate access to PULSE as outlined in the Annual Report 2012 of the Data Protection Commissioner including steps taken to address this issue subsequent to the report and previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25437/13]
View answerI appreciate the concern of the Data Protection Commissioner that the Garda PULSE system has been accessed by Garda personnel for inappropriate purposes. As the Deputy will be aware, the management of the PULSE system is an operational matter which is undertaken by the Garda Commissioner and the Garda authorities have indicated that they are fully committed to ensuring that the appropriate data protection requirements are met by the Force. This is an area which is the subject of on-going contact between the Garda authorities and the Data Protection Commissioner.
I have been informed that provision has recently been made within An Garda Síochána for the introduction of a comprehensive new system to strengthen the supervision of access to PULSE. This system places specific monitoring responsibilities on Superintendents to require Garda personnel to account for their access, by reference to the business reasons involved. In addition, arrangements have been made under the new structure for access to PULSE to be audited by the Garda Professional Standards Unit in six Garda Districts each month, on a rolling basis. I also understand that the Garda authorities have issued instructions to all members of the Force requiring them to provide in every case a full explanation, in the relevant field, when enquiries are made on the PULSE system.
