Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to amendment No. 6, while data sharing is defined in the Bill, there is no definition of data governance, which is odd. In their submission on the proposals for the Bill, Digital Rights Ireland and Castlebridge Associates, based in Wexford, highlighted this problem, particularly the fact that without such a definition there may be variances or discrepancies between Departments and between public bodies. These discrepancies may arise not only in how each body defines data governance but maybe more importantly on how the principles of data governance are applied. Digital Rights Ireland and Castlebridge Associates, groups with considerable expertise in this area, believe there should be a clear, centralised, standard definition of the term in the Bill. We are offering the example they put forward in their joint submission as a possible definition. The definition they have suggested defines governance as the system that determines who defines the processes and methods of data sharing, what data may be shared, how often, to whom, and under what legislatively supported circumstances. They also make the point that governance must involve not only decision rights but also accountability to ensure the systems and processes under governance operate effectively.