Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the point raised by Senator Higgins. It is one that did form part of our discussions here earlier, and one that was the subject matter of discussion in the Dáil.

My officials did make direct contact with the office of the European Data Protection Supervisor, EDPS, on the matter of a subsection that may require him to nominate a member of the selection panel. We received a response and that response merely said that the EDPS had reservations about the idea and did not think it would fit within the system of international co-operation. We did notify the office but ultimately, the European Data Protection Board advised us of its wish to stay neutral and impartial in all of the issues surrounding appointments and procedures. It was precisely because of that, that we decided to proceed as we are now doing.