Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

During Committee Stage discussions, I undertook to examine proposals to extend the scope of section 43 to include the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 and the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007. I did examine the matter and I now propose in amendment No. 47 to extend the scope of section 47 to include the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007. It is a coincidence that we are dealing with amendment No. 47 and section 47. I propose to extend the application of section 47 by a new amendment No. 47.

The Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 to 2015 do not permit the disclosure of personal data except in accordance with data protection legislation and the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Any release of personal data under the regulations would be in aggregated and pseudonymised form. For that reason, my amendment does not encompass reference to those regulations because I should not do so. I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for raising this important issue and I hope he accepts that the Government amendment addresses the issue and that amendments Nos. 46, 48 and 49 are not required in those circumstances.

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