Ahern Announces Review Process To Examine Data Protection Legislation

This process will be led by a small review group, chaired by Mr. Eddie Sullivan, and will include the Data Protection Commissioner, Mr. Billy Hawkes. 

The membership and formal terms of reference of the group is being finalised and it is expected that it will have its first meeting within weeks. 

The chief focus of the examination will be on whether changes are required to Data Protection legislation to deal with data breaches. 

The Group will be asked to examine the issues of mandatory reporting of breaches as well as possible penalties.

The Group's remit will also include a review of international/EU approaches in this field and an assessment of the regulatory and economic impacts of any possible changes to the law.   

"In our modern society, the services and facilities we avail of increasingly involve the recording of our personal data by both private and public bodies. Given recent experiences there is an understandable concern in the public mind at reports of such data being lost or mismanaged," the Minister said.

"Various suggestions have been made as to how Data Protection legislation ought to be amended to address these concerns, and I intend to get a broad assessment of these complex issues and the possible impact of any changes, taking account of the international experience where a variety of approaches have been attempted.

"I am asking the Group to make early interim recommendations if they consider there are any matters that can be dealt with expeditiously," he concluded.