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

That is a bigger question that everyone in this House should be concerned about as well in terms of data and the release of data. That is a wider more fundamental policy question that we all have to be conscious of. On another day in this House we will go on about companies and multinationals and citizens' rights, which is important too and is valid.

Deputy Cowen then got access to his file in the middle of last week, I think. He challenged that and he then wanted to correct the record. Apparently, one is entitled to seek a correction of a record about oneself and he has undertaken that particular process. Likewise, we know the Garda Commissioner has asked GSOC to investigate the wider issue of the protection of the Deputy's personal data.

At all stages I wanted to be fair to the person and that is why I sought the report on Monday night. It is not my record and I do not necessarily have an entitlement to it. Deputy Cowen did not bring it along with him on Monday night as it was with his solicitor. I said I needed to see it following our discussion. There is material on the file relating to the Deputy, which I must be careful about as I am not in a position to release it. My understanding is that it is a PULSE file.

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