Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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661. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any plans to extend existing test-purchase powers under section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 to include situations where alcohol has been purchased online and delivered to a home address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65808/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Section 37C of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as inserted by section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, provides for test purchasing powers for An Garda Síochána relating to licensed premises.

The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws, and in line with this commitment, consideration will be given to legislation in respect of the sale of alcohol, including the question of purchasing powers as regards the remote sale of alcohol, subject to legal advice and analysis of the issue.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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662. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether information is shared between different public agencies; and if the same information is shared with private bodies. [65809/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question has been interpreted as relating to the sharing of personal data - in the course of carrying out its functions, the Department is engaged every day in correspondence that does not include personal data with Government Departments, public service bodies, private sector interests, civil society organisations, academia, and members of the public.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has a very wide range of functions, and data may be legally shared with various public bodies for operational reasons.

For example, a number of areas within my Department's Immigration function must work closely with other bodies including the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Sharing personal data is essential to fulfil their respective responsibilities and functions and provide services to applicants.

Sharing of personal data may also take place in response to a valid lawful request from another public body or in accordance with existing legislative obligations. For example, my Department may share personal data with a competent authority under the EU Law Enforcement Directive for the purposes of the prevention, detection, or prosecution of criminal offences, including safeguarding against and preventing threats to security or the execution of criminal penalties.

Regular and/or ad-hoc sharing of personal data under the GDPR may also occur with various entities, including but not limited to the Chief State Solicitors Office, Tusla, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, Revenue, and the Department of Social Protection.

It is important to note that personal data is only shared by my Department at an individual level where there is a legitimate reason to do so, a valid lawful basis, and in strict accordance with the GDPR principles.

A range of joint controller agreements, controller processor agreements, and Data Sharing Agreements are in place across my Department and its agencies. Further, data governance is a standard item on the reports my Department receives quarterly from its agencies.

Finally, my Department is currently developing a programme of work with relevant agencies under its aegis to deliver improved interoperability and efficiency and provide timely data for analytics - the Criminal Justice Operational Hub (CJOH). This programme supports a growing series of data exchanges between agencies across the criminal justice system, providing a secure area to exchange information. Data privacy, minimisation and security are key design principles of the programme which is underpinned by detailed Data Sharing Agreements and Data Protection processes to ensure appropriate data privacy is maintained. To date, secure data exchanges have been implemented between the Courts Service, An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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663. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fixed charge notices (FCNs) issued to non-Irish EU licence holders for road traffic offences each year from 2022 to date; the number of FCNs that were paid; the number unpaid within the time limit; the number summoned to court; the number convicted, and the penalties imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65813/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the data they record in respect of licence holders is limited to indicating if a license is a foreign licence or not. There is no field that details the country of origin of the licence and as such they cannot provide detail on “non-Irish EU licence holders”.

The collation of data on convictions and penalties is a function of the courts. I have sought information from the Courts Service and have been advised that the Courts Service cannot provide any report or information that is specific to “non-Irish EU licence holders” as their case management system cannot identify cases involving 'non-Irish EU licence holders'.

Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.

The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.