Mr. Christopher Bowes:

Prior to the issues relating to the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment, FLAC has not come across any cases where concern has been raised about information to which the Department has access. Going back as far as 2016, we have had cases where we have raised concerns about the actions of the Department at airports and ports, and such actions potentially exceeding the legal limits created under the 2005 Act.

Deputy Murphy talked about data protection concerns. Free Legal Advice Centres welcomes the fact that the Data Protection Commission has launched an investigation into those actions. Engagement between the Department and the commission is the only way to get clarity and some finality on the issue in terms of what has been going on with these airport checks.