Tuesday, 18 October 2005

Ceisteanna (600)

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

680 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the personnel files of staff in his Department have been copied or given to external parties; if so, the safeguards which have been put in place to ensure that no personal data of any member of staff in his Department will be released to third parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29346/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I can assure the Deputy that personnel files or personal information of staff in this Department would not be copied or released to external parties, except with the consent of the staff member concerned.

Staff within the Department's human resources division are briefed regarding confidentiality of personnel files and comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 and the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.