Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will comment on reports that gardaí are using their personal laptops for work purposes; his views on whether such a practice is in line with data protection laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19439/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that all personnel in An Garda Síochána are subject to the Garda Síochána's Security Policy for the use of Information and Communications Technology, including portable data devices and the transfer of electronic data, which states that only information and communication technology equipment supplied by the ICT Division and or Procurement Section of An Garda Síochána shall be used for the storage of Garda Síochána data. Any alleged breach of this security policy would be a matter for Garda management to pursue under the terms of that policy.

A Data Protection Code of Practice, developed by the Garda authorities in consultation with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, has also been circulated to each member and civilian employee of An Garda Síochána informing them of their obligations under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. The Code of Practice was drafted to improve the knowledge and understanding of Data Protection within the Garda Síochána. The Code of Practice is available at www.garda.ie.