Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand the intention is not to remove any sections. I am struggling to understand scenarios in which these powers would be necessary for the Minister. Disclosing personal data is a very serious matter. Perhaps the Minister of State could outline a situation where it might happen so that I can better understand it. The disclosure of personal data to a body prescribed by the Minister gives the Minister the right to decide what is or is not proportionate and what is and is not relevant. I am not certain that putting this in primary legislation is necessary. I do not know why the Minister would need the powers through legislation to release personal information to further bodies. Perhaps if the Minister of State could give an example or we could have an engagement to tease through this.

My intention is not to obstruct this. We understand how important this is and we want to be constructive. However, it does worry me, not with regard to the Minister of State personally but another Minister might take a different view. This is very sensitive personal information. Once it is disclosed it cannot be undisclosed. We cannot unring a bell. It seems the powers are very wide ranging. I am struggling to understand when they would be absolutely necessary. We should start from the principle that powers such as these would only be used in a scenario in which they are totally and completely necessary. It is personal data. I struggle to understand what those scenarios would look like.