Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome these amendments which are very important because a lacuna in the original Bill made it very difficult for individuals to seek a redress where the data protection commission may or may not have taken individual complaints on board. In many cases, those who do wish to raise concerns do so not simply because they seek redress for themselves but because they want to highlight concerns about the system and they want to improve the process for others, which is an act of generosity. This is an opportunity to pay tribute to those, both in Ireland and in Europe, who have done us some service, people, including Max Schrems, who have taken individual cases, and groups, such as Digital Rights Ireland, which have done important work in strengthening laws here and internationally by highlighting problems and ensuring they are addressed. This is a constructive amendment which ensures that civil society, which we in the Civil Engagement group endeavour to represent, can play a constructive role in supporting those individuals whose data has been breached.