Seanad Committee to discuss post-Brexit data implications between EU and UK

The meeting of Senators at 3pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will examine four aspects of Brexit effects on data with representatives of the Data Protection Commission:

• Impact of Brexit on data flows between UK and EU and more broadly on data protection;
• Dealing with a potential future divergence in data protection law between the EU and UK;
• Impact of Brexit on companies/organisations transferring or storing data between UK and EU;
• The data protection implications that arise due to increased customs paperwork.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s meeting, Committee Chair Senator Lisa Chambers said: “The Trade and Co-operation Agreement reached between the EU and UK contains a grace period which means no change in data transfer arrangements until the end of June. This is while the EU examines the adequacy of British data laws now that the UK is a third country outside the EU.

“However, the future remains uncertain as we don’t know yet how much the UK will wish to diverge from GDPR and other EU data rules, or how the EU will treat new British legislation. It is important that we examine the many implications for businesses and individuals in Ireland and the EU when dealing with the data and the UK post-Brexit. The Committee looks forward to engaging with the Data Protection Commission on these issues.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.