Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes all decisions relating to data control and data protection regarding information held on Garda IT systems, including PULSE. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

It should be noted that An Garda Síochána is the data controller for the information requested, and not my Department. It is therefore the Commissioner's responsibility to gauge any potential data protection risk.

The Deputy will also be aware that there are restrictions on identification of offenders if the offender is a child under the Children Act 2001 (as amended). As the release of data at a level of detail requested by the Deputy in the Parliamentary Questions referred to may present a risk of possible identification of both offenders, and consequently the victims who are afforded anonymity, the information cannot be provided.

In relation to the previous Parliamentary Questions, this risk exists as particular offences may be low in a given year, leading to a risk of identification. The Deputy will appreciate that the protection of victims of sexual offences and the prevention of their re-victimisation is paramount.