Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As I said in a debate on legislation in recent weeks, I have sympathy for the Data Protection Commission in that it is under-resourced and, at some stages, it seems deliberately so. I also note the Government increased funding to the Data Protection Commission long after we in Sinn Féin made provision for doing so in our alternative budget under Deputy Martin Kenny two years ago.

It is very important that people who are seeking information have to be able to explain and outline the nature of the commission's decisions. Acts that now just disobey a directive will soon turn into criminal cases. Under section 154 of the 2018 Act, officers and the commissioner enjoy a defence of acting in good faith. This means that no proceedings can be brought against them. This an important protection that will allow them to do their job but it contrasts badly with the amendment the Government rammed through last week.

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