Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept what Senator Ó Clochartaigh believes might be the intention behind the amendment. There are in place, however, mutual assistance treaties which have been agreed with states throughout the European Union and elsewhere and which function well. Those treaties provide protection and safeguards in respect of both data and individuals.

I could not agree more with Senator Bradford regarding the importance of data protection. The latter is a vague, almost technical term which relates to the protection of an individual's rights but also of those of society in general. We have an obligation to ensure we have procedures in place which allow protection to be afforded not just to our citizens but also to those of other countries. We must, therefore, consider this matter in a broader context. The necessary protections in that regard are contained in the mutual assistance treaties to which I refer. I must state again that we will not accept the amendment.