Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose to press it because what is provided for therein is not explicitly addressed elsewhere, but I will withdraw the other amendments.

In response to the Minister's comments on the amendments, the key concern is that while the committees may request a data commissioner to give testimony, they may not be aware of situations where there has been a divergence of view in respect of a Minister and the data commission. That is why the impact assessment conducted by the data commission, to be proposed later, to say what issues may arise from this divergence of view, and that being presented to a committee, will bring about due oversight. The concern is that a committee may decide to call in a data commission to speak on any issue but if such committee does not know that there is an issue then that power is not practicably exercisable. I propose to push amendment No. 16, which relates to section 33, and I will then withdraw the other amendments.