Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to assure the Senator that there is no intent on the part of Government to introduce any uncertainty or list of exempted persons, to use the word adopted by Senator Norris. What we are doing here is using the corporate person, which has been enshrined in law for many decades. I assure Senator Higgins that under the stewardship of the Data Protection Commissioner there will be an information campaign.In addition to the information campaign, there will be a preparatory campaign to ensure that Ireland will be ready from the appropriate date in May. A large element of information, knowledge and preparedness is necessary as part of the enforcement and compliance element of this process, which is ongoing. By the time we reach the end of this Bill later in the spring, after Report Stage, we will have seen the type of appropriate campaign that is necessary in these circumstances. I assure Senator Higgins that there are no circumstances in which the introduction of amendment No. 1 will open the door for the type of exempted status she fears. I am happy to return to that.