Mr. Dale Sunderland:

Absolutely, and our special investigations unit is leading on that process at the moment. It started earlier this year. We do take these things very seriously.

Also, while we understand, as does EU law, that there is a need for legitimate data sharing and data processing, we believe there is much greater need for transparency about what is happening at the moment. A fundamental part of data protection law is that the individual is fully aware of what data bodies hold about them, how they are using it, how they are protecting it and we are not convinced there is enough transparency into how Government itself is sharing data and for what purpose it is being used. This is a matter which we have raised with the Department and with the Department of Social Protection in particular, in relation to PPSN and the public services card. We believe much greater clarity needs to be provided to the public about how their data is being used across the Government sector. We are engaging with them on that matter at the moment.