Mr. Pádraig Dalton:

We have been debating this at a European level within the statistical domain for a period bordering on four years. We have had a consistent perspective on this legislation. We do not agree with the mandatory exchange of confidential data. It goes against everything that official statisticians have worked for over many years. There are three key pillars for any official statistical system: political and professional independence, objectivity in analysis and a guarantee of confidentiality. We have put it to the Commission clearly that we do not agree with the mandatory exchange. We believe the exchange should be made optional.