Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

No, just his expenses. In my view whether the period is six months or 36 months makes very little difference. I do not think that with these safeguards in particular it is a matter of great importance.

I have always been unimpressed by the arguments that material deleted after a period of time increases one's dignity and rights as a human being. This notion that if, for instance, I gave a fingerprint which is destroyed after some specified period of time does not really worry me. I am aware of a contrary opinion which worries about a big brother state amassing information indefinitely about everybody. The 36-month period is what the Government favours.

The fact that a person has communicated with somebody else could in certain circumstances be intrusive on his or her liberty. If one telephoned a certain type of chat line, I presume one is entitled to keep that fact secret. The only circumstance in which that is likely to be investigated now is if a senior Garda officer goes looking for it, subject to the knowledge that his or her application for it will be the subject of judicial scrutiny afterwards and he or she will be called to account if he or she abuses the facility.