Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 October 2014
106. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has held any discussions with US multinational companies based herewith regard to our current legislative provisions for data protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40535/14]
View answerThe centrepiece of the European Union’s existing data protection regime is the 1995 Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC). It is an internal market measure which seeks to reconcile the protection of personal data with the free flow of data within the internal market and to countries outside the EU. It has been given effect in our domestic law in the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. In January 2012, the European Commission published proposals for a General Data Protection Regulation which is intended to replace the 1995 Directive. Following publication of the proposals, the Minister for Justice and Equality launched a public consultation process in March 2012. Submissions were subsequently received from a range of organisations, including US multinational companies.
Since taking up office the current Minister for Justice and Equality has not held direct discussions with any US multinational companies regarding our current data protection laws or the proposed EU reforms.
