Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure why the Minister has personalised this. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General when writing on the public accounts, the "Department commenced work [in 2016] on issues around data sharing, governance and the security of data which will be key elements of legislation currently being developed". I have asked the Minister to address the ad hocnature of this project, which will cost €60 million. He has not addressed one issue. He has not addressed the question of why it has taken so long to come up with the legislation to which I have referred, and he has sidetracked onto my political ideology and other matters that are immaterial.

Will the Minister respond by addressing the issue of €60 million being spent on a project in an ad hocmanner without a business case having been made? What has he learned from that? When will the legislation be before the House? What has the Minister learned from his engagement with the Data Protection Commissioner? Why do we need this for passports, driving licences and every other service if it is not a national identity card?

I do not like the word "allegations". I do not make allegations - I deal in facts. I read reports and am quoting one now.

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