Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I take on board the point the Senator made and will take it into consideration when, assuming the legislation is passed, the power of the Minister's role in regulation is bestowed on me under section 67.

On the wider points made by the Senator regarding the fact that an individual should not be put into a situation where he or she has to rely on GDPR, that is the preference and what we are trying to achieve. I have always said, throughout the discussion on this legislation, this is a twofold change. It is a change in the law to make sure the legal presumptions are completely different to what they were so there is a clear basis for the release of information and an openness to the release of that information.

There also has to be a change of culture that many Senators have referred to. Key to driving that is the power the Minister has to issue guidelines to the agencies and authorities that will implement this legislation to make sure they continue on a path of openness and transparency and a presumption of the release of information. Linked to that is the implementing body, which is the group led by my Department that brings key officials in Tusla, the AAI and my Department together, so there is a common understanding that the purpose behind this legislation is to release information. That is what all bodies and agencies should be working towards.

I take on board the Senator's point. We are seeking to bring about a legal change through this legislation, but we are also seeking to bring about a culture change. Work on that has begun in advance of this legislation being passed.