Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has expressed his concern to the Data Protection Commissioner on a recent report in relation to the disposal of records of clients from a law centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34574/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to the matter which was the subject of a newspaper article on 5 December last and again on 6 December. The Legal Aid Board has advised me that it is extremely concerned at these events and that it quickly moved to appoint a retired senior public servant to conduct an independent investigation once the incident came to its attention last July. The Board expects the final investigation report shortly. A separate investigation has subsequently been initiated into the apparent unauthorised disclosure of client correspondence implied by the second of the above newspaper articles.

The Board has advised the Data Protection Commissioner of the unauthorised disclosure and disposal of material and will keep the Commissioner advised as to the findings of the investigations. The Board has also emphasised that it is very conscious of its obligations to treat client information in confidence and has taken, and continues to take, all necessary steps to ensure that the interests of any clients and applicants for legal aid that might have been affected by the disposal and disclosure are protected.