Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I gave the same answer any time I was asked. There has been ongoing contact with the Data Protection Commissioner. It is no secret that the Data Protection Commissioner raised certain concerns.

The Department undertook a privacy impact assessment at the request of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. The purpose of that privacy impact assessment was to ensure that any potential privacy impact on individuals as a result of the introduction of Eircode would be recognised and addressed. The assessment has concluded that the introduction of Eircode is unlikely to have any significant adverse effect on the right to privacy.

In addition to the licensing conditions with Capita, some strengthening of the data protection safeguards associated with the postcode operation is recommended. It will be a short Bill. One could describe it as a belt and braces approach. There is no suggestion that the project would not be covered by the Data Protection Acts. Where the storage and use of information collected is covered by theData Protection Act, it will continue to be the case. However, there is no harm in ensuring, by way of a short Bill, which will be brought before the House once the Government has agreed it, that there will be no concerns whatsoever. There is nothing new in that.

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