Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to reform the law relating to the protection of personal privacy; if the heads of a Bill have been approved by the Government; if so, if he will publish same; when he expects to bring a Bill before the Houses of the Oireachtas; the consultations he is planning prior to the publication of the bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15658/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As indicated in the Government legislative programme, announced by the Chief Whip on 24 April 2006, the Privacy Bill is in the course of being drafted by Parliamentary Counsel with a view to being published early in this session.

The Bill will give effect to the recommendations of the working group on privacy chaired by Mr. Brian Murray S.C. The group was established to consider and prepare for the Government an appropriate legislative basis for the protection of privacy which would be consistent with freedom of expression. It was asked to take into account the work of the Law Reform Commission in its final report on privacy, which followed on from an earlier consultation paper prepared by the commission.

As the Deputy will appreciate, consultations and representations will continue as a feature in relation to a Bill following its publication.