Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the interests of transparency, we hope that when the report is eventually made available, the Minister will publish it. Transparency certainly helps. It is amazing that the Department's response to the Data Protection Commissioner's inquiry, at this late stage in the history of the public services card's roll-out, requires such a protracted, extended defence. This is the largest data-sharing project in the history of the State and I think it has cost approximately €60 million so far. The Minister has not halted the roll-out of the public services card, pending the outcome of the investigation, and her Department has had to write the equivalent of a PhD thesis to defend itself after the horse has well and truly bolted. However, listening to what she is saying, it looks like the public will not get a good look at the terms of the commissioner's investigation. The Minister argues about the merits of the public services card. We are not arguing against them, but we are arguing on the issue of consent. If people consent, that is grand. Yes, the public services card involves efficiency, but one cannot force people to consent to using it. That is our argument.

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