Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

They are positive amendments and will strengthen the role of the data protection officer in ensuring that they do not come under undue pressure with regard to the performance of their function. That is especially important given that we have significant fines which can apply to a public authority.

The Minister of State might clarify a point. If a data protection officer is reporting to the highest level of management and is meeting resistance or is finding concerns unanswered, I expect he or she would be able to reach out directly to the data protection commission or others. Will the Minister of State clarify that?