Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The GDPR will ensure a harmonised system of data protection rules that will work across the European Union. My understanding is the Bill will be before the committee tomorrow and I hope it will pass all Stages by 25 May. It is unfortunate that we are so late in the day, given the fact that companies and others are preparing for the introduction of the legislation.

We welcome the strengthening of protection for citizens. Such protection of citizens' privacy rights is more important now than ever, particularly given the presence of such global technology giants as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and many others.

On the information published on Facebook scraping, impacting on more than 50 million members of the public, belatedly, policies are being introduced by companies to seek the user's permission to use his or her data for other companies. The case with Atlantico also involved an appalling abuse of personal data. RTÉ had to issue a statement yesterday on a fake report on Facebook mimicking RTÉ. There are serious issues and the Bill will help to deal with some of them, although I point out that some public representatives are concerned that the impact of the Bill on their unique role in interacting with citizens might render it impossible. The Minister should look at that aspect before the Bill is completed.

I also raise the issue of the digital age of consent. This is more about companies using the data of young people for their own purposes in marketing and so on. There is a very strong case for reviewing it and allowing the digital age of consent move to 16 years if, for nothing else, to create pressure on companies to carry out their duties and responsibilities to children and young people.

The area of privacy and data protection has come to light in the context of the Independent News & Media, INM, story in terms of the breach of data protection that is the subject of an affidavit in the High Court but also an investigation by the data protection officer. I am conscious that the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Murray, produced a significant report on the protection of sources, including journalistic sources. He produced a more broad based report on the digital age of consent and protecting privacy all round from the State and recommened that such protections apply in the private sector also. It is essential that, as a country, we move fairly quickly on these matters.

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