Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to stress that the "toolbox" of safeguards as referred to by Senator Higgins, is in addition to, and not a substitute for, the technical organisational measures required under a risk-based approach in Article 24.These additional safeguards are justified by the fact that they will apply to the special categories of personal data under Article 9, to which we referred earlier. On Committee Stage I accepted the need to clarify the interplay between section 33 and later sections. I stated I would have a fresh look at section 33 in the light of earlier amendments tabled by Senator Higgins. Arising from that, I have tabled this group of amendments. Amendment No. 14 proposes to adjust the content of subsection (1), while amendment No. 15 proposes to replace subsections (2) to (5). I do not perceive section 2(2) as any longer serving a useful purpose, which is behind my proposal to delete it. If Senator Higgins believes there are further issues which need consideration, I would be happy to do so.

In amendments Nos. 14 and 15, however, I believe I have clarified the issues that were brought to the attention of the House by Senator Higgins in the earlier part of the debate.