Seanad debates

Tuesday, 27 February 2018

2:30 pm

Photo of Victor BoyhanVictor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise three issues. The first is the annual report of the Data Protection Commissioner for 2017. The watchdog has clearly criticised Tusla over its record-keeping. I was particularly interested in reading an article about this today not because of Tusla, but because I was conscious and mindful of the Data Protection Bill that will come before us, which is a really important piece of work. I am also mindful of the fact that Tusla would come under the designation of what are called public bodies. An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Tusla are three that come to mind that hold an awful lot of sensitive information about citizens. Because they are public bodies under the legislation that, it appears, will be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas - though let us wait and see - there will be no penalty, no compensation for any breaches in this regard. The legislation we are considering will give them a slap on the hand if they breach data but, unlike other organisations and private bodies, there will be no sanction. It will be a poor day's work if we let this through the House. I am putting that down as a marker and I intend to raise it later. It is a very important point. I wish to put it on the record of the House that we have to be seriously concerned that there will be no sanction regarding the HSE breaches or An Garda Síochána or Tusla.

Getting back to what the watchdog said about Tusla, he has issued 59 findings against Tusla and is asking the agency to report back on them. Let us see what happens. This is a serious issue. To put it in context, he received 2,642 investigations and complaints in 2017. This represents a major rise in complaints, but I suppose we can tie that down to the amount of knowledge about data retention and data protection.

I thank the Leader for arranging for the Minister of State with special responsibility for local government to come before the House tomorrow to discuss councillors' pay, remuneration and conditions. The Leader did give an undertaking that he would do this. I am delighted that the Minister of State responsible for this area, local government and councillors, will be here tomorrow and I think this will give us a great opportunity. I saw a few emails sent around today to elected members, city and county councillors, from all sides of the House, so I look forward to hearing what those Members of this House will have to say tomorrow in line with that communication to those members.

Finally - and I will be very brief on this - I said I would stand up every week in the Seanad to raise the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire until I finish here.In January 2017, 12 beds were closed. We were given a commitment they would be open within the year but they were not. We had the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health out turning sods for the new phase 1. As we also saw all of this being announced as part of Project Ireland 2040, I do not know what they are talking about. There seems to be double-counting there and we need to look at this. I have arranged for a parliamentary question to be asked on it. I spoke to the hospital this morning and six of the beds remain shut, at a time when people waiting for rehabilitation services are holding up beds in acute hospitals. Will the Leader make it a priority to talk to the people who matter, because I intend bringing this up once a week as long as I am here?

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