Dr. Fred Logue:

I would add that there is no reason the balance cannot be struck in favour of survivors. It is open to the Legislature to restrict the rights of religious institutions or members of the congregations. The GDPR recognises historical research and archiving as a public interest that can justify restricting data subject rights in that context. We are having the same conversation, as Deputy Burton knows, about access to adoption information for adopted people. It is open to have greater access than the default that would be provided under the Freedom of Information Act or GDPR in the interests of survivors and in the interests of historical research and having a good archive.