Written answers

Wednesday, 11 July 2018

Department of Defence

Data Sharing Arrangements

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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132. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the measures he has taken in his Department further to the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's statement (details supplied) that the Data Sharing and Governance Bill 2018 is needed to provide a legal basis for certain data transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31620/18]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Data Sharing and Governance Bill, which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, was published on 8 June 2018 and is currently at Report Stage in the Seanad.

The purpose of the Bill is to promote and encourage data sharing between public bodies by providing a statutory framework for data sharing for legitimate and clearly specified purposes that are compliant with data protection law; and to improve the protection of individual privacy rights by setting new governance standards for data sharing by public bodies.

National and EU data protection law requires that data sharing needs an explicit legal basis. Data sharing is currently carried out by the public service under existing sectorial legislation. I understand that it is expected that the Data Sharing and Governance Bill will provide a flexible legislative gateway for data sharing by public bodies that will simplify the complex legal landscape that currently exists.

The Bill also provides a framework for public bodies to share data in a manner that is compatible with data protection law, including the new General Data Protection Regulation that came into effect on 25 May. My Department will continue to monitor our data sharing requirements and will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as necessary in relation to matters within the remit of my Department.

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