Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I understand what the Deputy is saying. Section 10(4) provides that the commission can omit from the register any personal data the commission considers might be misused. This provision meets the requirements of the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003. The Act states that personal data means data relating to a living individual who is or can be identified either from the data or from data in conjunction with other information. Section 2(1)(d) of that Act provides that appropriate security measures are taken against unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure.

This provision was included following consultation with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. It is expected that only a minimal amount of personal information would be on the register, given the nature of the persons to whom the Bill applies. I considered it necessary to have an address of some description. If the Data Protection Commissioner is in agreement, I do not anticipate that it would trample on any personal freedoms or personal data.