David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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270. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the role of An Garda Síochána in the supervision of a service (details supplied) in view of recent online posts in which instruction was given to users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5070/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the issue referred to in the Deputy's question and of the reported comments of the Garda authorities.

Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides that the Commissioner is responsible for the direction and control of the Garda Síochána. This issue is clearly an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and I have no role in that regard.

For clarification purposes, however, I can advise the House that An Garda Síochána have informed me that they have no role or function in the supervision of Twitter or other forms of social media, or in enforcing the data protection responsibilities of organisations or individuals. That is a matter for the Data Protection Commissioner.

I am informed that in the case of Cycle Cam footage posted on Twitter in this instance, the objective of An Garda Síochána was to advise individuals of their responsibilities in circumstances where another person’s personal data is involved. It should be noted that the public were requested not to post or link such videos to Garda social media accounts. I am informed that various options for reporting crime are outlined on the Garda website and if cyclists feel that they have evidence of the commission of an offence they can do so using the appropriate methods.