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

I am not going to mention the war between Tipperary and Kilkenny. That has gone on for a long time. There was an interesting row over the summer between the Government and the Commissioner for Data Protection in respect of a significant report by the commissioner following a two-year investigation into the processing of personal data for public services cards. I get the feeling there has been an attempt almost to demonise the Commissioner for Data Protection in respect of her report. The commissioner has a particular remit and responsibility around the collection of data and how it is handled and managed. The Government and the Oireachtas should respect that, even if the commission annoys the Executive from time to time in terms of its objectives and agenda. I always felt it was fundamentally wrong to say it was mandatory to use a public services card to avail of other services. Citizens are entitled to services by dint of a basic entitlement, not because they have a particular card. The Minister at the time said it was mandatory but not compulsory, whatever that meant. The Commissioner for Data Protection said basically that-----

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