Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wanted to raise the very issue he has raised about the decision of the Commission against the Data Protection Commission decisions. Some quite concerning remarks were made in the judgment on which the committee probably needs a little bit more discussion. I am a member of the committee since September and I do not recall it being discussed, although I might be incorrect on that. As a committee, there is a body of oversight that we must fulfil. The decision that led to that appeal being taken, which has been reversed with some remarks, is worthy of our consideration.

The final remark I want to make also relates to what Deputy Martin Kenny raised. I am chairing this meeting on behalf of Deputy Lawless. It would be very helpful for the committee to give consideration to the Minister's views on the matter. He may well respond to these remarks, but it might be helpful for him to communicate to us through the secretariat on any concerns the Department of Justice might have with regard to technology that is used within the public sector and within public buildings or whether the committee might have to refer to the likes of the OPW and separately to each individual Department because there are multiple owners of property across the State where there may be issues of concern relating to technology. I believe at least two countries have made a decision to remove this company or not to acquire its technology. Australia is one, and I am pretty sure there was a European country as well. That of itself is of concern. Deputy Martin Kenny is probably quite correct that this is a public forum and therefore there is no big secret, but there are plenty of buildings where private meetings take place and where the contents of those meetings could potentially have a national security, technology or commercial impact and therefore we must carefully review the situation.

A controversy arose in the past which the Minister may recall in a very similar vein. It related to 5G. I cannot help but feel there was not a very thorough debate about it, or rather the policymakers and decision-makers in these Houses were not really informed as to the precise technical nature of why other jurisdictions made a proposal that they then implemented on 5G technology, on which we breezily said the decision is made and the technology is in place and sure is our phone service not great. We need more of that and while I am open to correction, this committee seems to be the appropriate forum. Perhaps consideration could be given to such conversations being had so that at least a committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Deputies for the people, could be properly advised on the impact or otherwise of a particular piece of technology. That is something to consider. While the Minister will probably give a verbal response he might have some further thoughts that he might like to put in writing for the committee to consider and digest.