Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are seven amendments being discussed, five of which are in the name of Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, while two are Government amendments. Amendments Nos. 60 and 62 speak to the possibility that the commission might not investigate or dismiss complaints on the grounds that they were vexatious or frivolous. That would not be acceptable. Subsection (1) which complies with the GDPR outlines the approach the commission must take in dealing with complaints. Likewise, subsection (5) outlines alternative courses of action that may be taken by the commission in handling such complaints. I do not think it is appropriate to depart from these avenues. Therefore, I will not accept amendments Nos. 60 and 62.

Amendments Nos. 64 and 66 are merely drafting amendments which do not involve any great change of substance. I have listened to the points raised by the Senator Higgins on amendment No. 61.