Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 February 2014
169. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Defence if he will make the military service records available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8403/14]
View answerThe Defence Forces as a matter of routine provide access to individuals seeking their personal military records (personnel files) in the case of both serving and retired members. This access is administered through Administrative Instruction A8 for serving members. For retired members the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 & 2003, the Data Protection Acts 1998 & 2003 and the National Archives Act 1986 are used to facilitate access.
Given the details supplied, it is presumed that in this case a third party is seeking access to the records of the named individual. These records contain both personal data and sensitive data under the terms of the Data Protection Acts 1998 & 2003 and personal data under the terms of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 & 2003. Consequently, these records will only be released to persons authorised under the Acts to receive them. This would normally be the closest living relative but this may not always be the case. Without having the full facts of this case it is not possible to indicate whether the records can be released.
The Defence Forces Freedom of Information Office would be happy to assist and provide advice in this case with a view to providing appropriate release of the records requested. They are available at 045 492577/2578 or at Defence Forces Freedom of Information Office, Defence Forces Headquarters, Department of Defence, Station Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
