Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Not at all. People have come at this issue from different angles. I accept everyone's bona fides in this regard. As legislators, we have to make a choice when we are dealing with and voting on these two amendments. I appeal to the Minister to show understanding to the people who are here. There is a big difference between processing and profiling, or between profiling and processing. It is a question of use and abuse. We can never be too aware of how data is used nowadays. Those between the ages of 13 and 16 comprise the fastest-growing market. My children have just come through those years. My youngest child is 16. I understand totally that they want to be on these platforms. Being on them is one thing, but their personal data should not be allowed to be compiled, processed, used and misused. I believe the potential for misuse and abuse of their data is what we are talking about. I am concerned about these issues. I do not want to see Ireland being ridiculed for being out of kilter with many other countries in not taking the opportunity to safeguard our children's data. It is for this reason that I am supporting these amendments and opposing the Government's stated position.

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