Seanad debates
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages
11:00 am
Feargal Quinn (Independent)
I move amendment No. 4:
In page 6, subsection (4), line 39, after "request." to insert the following:
"Where an oral request is made, a unique request numbering system should be used whereby a unique identifier number is allocated to each oral request. This unique identifier number must then be placed on the subsequent written request, as per subsection (5).".
The amendment speaks for itself. Section 6(4) states: "A disclosure request shall be made in writing, but in case of exceptional urgency the request may be made orally". While I accept it will not be commonplace to make an oral request, such requests will be made. The sole purpose of the amendment is to enable the request to be traced much more easily. I accept the proposal will add some red tape, which I always oppose, but this is an exceptional case. The amendment would speed up the process, deliver benefits and not impose a cost. For this reason, it would be worthwhile.
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