Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is true that the Deputy has always been a proponent of holding more debates in the House, yet there are members on the Opposition benches who would regard the holding of more debates in the House as in some way a dereliction of the duty of the House and consider that we should have more legislation all the time. When the Opposition co-ordinates its position, it will help us figure out what it wants.

As the Deputy is aware, the last pre-budget outlook outlined the then position based on the available evidence. The next time we will make public our position will be on budget day, as normal. I do not anticipate the outcome but, obviously, we will take into account all relevant considerations and updated data that become available between now and then.

In respect of personal data security, public service bodies, like any other organisations and individuals holding personal data, are subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003 which provide for the appropriate compilation, storage and use of personal data held by them. Among the requirements placed on organisations and individuals in respect of the management of personal data is the need to keep them secure against unauthorised access. Specific statutory provisions provide that appropriate security measures should be taken against unauthorised access to or unauthorised alteration, disclosure or destruction of data, in particular where the processing involves the transmission of data over a network, and against all other unlawful forms of processing. Organisations and individuals holding personal data must register annually with the Data Protection Commissioner. This registration involves the giving of details of the personal data held. Under our legislative framework, organisations must also designate a data controller who will have statutory responsibility for compliance by organisations with the provisions of the Acts.

Regarding the issue raised about their adequacy, in October the Government decided that all Departments and Offices should review the systems and procedures in place to protect the confidentiality of personal data and prevent its improper release. My Department is asking all Departments to report on these reviews, detailing the general systems and procedures in place, the arrangements for the transfer of data and the audit facilities accompanying such systems and procedures and how these procedures are reviewed and how it is ensured they are followed properly. These reviews should be completed early in the new year.

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