Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To answer the Deputy's two questions, we received the report from the Data Protection Commissioner in August. We provided a comprehensive response for the office on 30 November and have been awaiting its response since. As I said to the Deputy, publication of the report is now entirely a matter for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, given that it has given us clear instructions that we are not to discuss or disclose the draft report. I would have the legs cut off me were I not to do what I have been asked to do by it, particularly in the light of the investigation and the sensitivity attached to it.

I refer the Deputy to what he has just said. We do not make anyone get a public services card. If people do not want to get it and do not want to go through the SAFE 2 process, they do not have to do so. However, 3.2 million people have gone through it and the results of the satisfaction survey have given us incredibly positive responses. As the Deputy rightly says, perhaps the Data Protection Commissioner will come back with a different response. Whatever it is, either the Deputy or I will have to accept the outcome, depending on whatever point of view we share or do not share with the Data Protection Commissioner at the time.

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