Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
386. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the efforts he is making to ensure that a way forward is secured on data sharing between public authorities here and in Northern Ireland in the context of cross-Border travel through ports and airports and on tackling Covid-19 in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3225/21]
View answerThere has been, and continues to be, engagement between myself and Minister Swann on data sharing from respective passenger locator forms and officials from both our Departments have met to advance discussions on this issue in recent months. The most recent meeting was on the 15th of January.
There is a commitment to finding a solution to this issue, however there are legal and data protection issues which must be addressed before a data sharing agreement can be established, while ensuring Ireland complies with its GDPR obligations. Both Departments are working to establish the purpose and method for processing the data which will allow this Department, to determine the policy and legal issues.
I am aware of the risks posed to the entire island by international travel during the pandemic and am committed to strong, effective, and appropriate co-operation in order to manage these risks.
