Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik raised the issue of cervical cancer and the importance of the need for transparency, and I agree with her. That is why the Scally inquiry was set up and we will get to the truth and get the full facts in regard to the events that took place.The overriding concern of the Government is that we establish the full facts, hold people to account and put in place a system whereby there will be greater transparency and support offered to the families of the women involved. I fully agree with Senator Bacik. We need to get the full answers.

Senator Joe O'Reilly raised the extension of local link and welcomed the pilot scheme. It is an important scheme and lifeline for rural Ireland. I am sure the incentivisation of publicans will be fraught with contention, but the important point is that a pilot scheme is being established to offer a lifeline to people in rural Ireland. The Senator is correct. We must ensure that people in Bailieborough, Reenascreena or Belmullet have the same type of connectivity as those living on a Luas line. I fully subscribe to that point.

Senator Gallagher raised the issue of the GDPR and schools. I draw the attention of the Senator to www.dataprotectionschools.iewhich is a portal for schools and has a specific section on data protection. I draw his attention to circular 0829/2018 which has a specific reference to GDPR.