Data Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 December 2020

Wednesday, 2 December 2020

Questions (106)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

106. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the list of recommendations he received from the Clann Project, dated 23 November 2020; his further views in particular on the recommendation that Government seeks independent advise from experts working in the area of international data protection law to guarantee that Ireland implements GDPR in relation to institutional, adoption and care-related records and their suggestions on access to records legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40726/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The recommendations from the Clann project that I received on 23 November 2020 are very extensive. They span several major areas, including detailed proposals on information and tracing legislation, proposals to amend legislation under the remit of other Government Departments, and proposals in relation to the administrative structures of the office of the Data Protection Commissioner. To the extent that the issues in question fall within my Department's remit, they are being reviewed and considered by both myself and my officials.

Certain other cross-cutting issues will be referred to the relevant Departments and, where appropriate, to the Attorney General for consideration. I know that the Taoiseach shares with me the desire to ensure that we take a coherent whole-of-Government approach to the matter of institutional records.

As I have stated previously, I am open to engagement with independent experts in the area of GDPR, and will pursue this, whilst respecting the ultimate role of the Office of the Attorney General as the Government’s legal adviser as prescribed in Article 30 of the Constitution.