Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 57:

In page 30, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following:"Application to access data

41.(1) No application to access data processed for journalistic purposes may be made by any party, including, for the avoidance of doubt, an authorised officer, An Garda Síochána, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commissioner, the Revenue Commissioners or the Defence Forces, except by way of application to the High Court by motion and affidavit and on notice to the journalist data processor.

(2) In determining whether to allow access to data processed for journalistic purposes, the High Court shall have regard to the importance of freedom of expression in a democratic society and to the importance of confidential sources of information to the right of freedom of expression.

(3) The High Court may permit access to data processed for journalistic purposes, including for the purpose of identifying confidential sources of information, only where the journalist processor whose data is sought is the subject of investigation for suspected commission of a serious criminal offence or for unlawful activity which poses a serious threat to the security of the State.

(4) (a) In exceptional cases, where the security of the State is under immediate threat or where it is suspected that a serious criminal offence is likely to be committed in the immediate future, an application may be madeex parteto the High Court for access to data processed for journalistic purposes.

(b) Where an ex parteapplication under this section is made, the journalist processor whose data is the subject of the application shall be notified of the application by, and given the opportunity to make representations before, the High Court as soon as practicable.

(5) An appeal shall, by leave of the High Court, lie from a determination of that Court under this section on a question of law to the Court of Appeal.".

This is a matter of concern for several organisations such as the Irish chapter of the National Union of Journalists, NUJ, and the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, ICCL. The committee had a lengthy discussion recently on the importance of independent journalism, journalists' sources and their importance for the functioning of a democratic society. There are many discussions in the public domain about recent data breaches in significant media outlets in this State that have caused a lot of concern about potential interference with journalists and what they do. That is wrong. It is a matter of concern for free media and democracy in this country, so it is vitally important that journalists and their sources are protected. They are integral to a functioning democracy that holds Government, Opposition and public institutions to account.

I do not believe the Bill adequately provides for this. That is a view shared by others. I will be pressing the amendment.