Statement: Minister Should Have Accepted Labour Amendments to Data Retention Bill

Labour Spokesperson for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Thursday 20th January 2011

MINISTER SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED LABOUR AMENDMENTS TO DATA RETENTION BILL - BACIK

Speaking in the Seanad today during the Committee stage debate on the Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2009, Senator Ivana Bacik proposed a series of key amendments to the bill intended to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to secure civil liberties and the right to privacy of citizens.

Speaking in favour of an amendment to reduce the time limit in the bill for data retention, she said:

“It is unfortunate that the Minister has provided for the maximum period set out in the Data Retention Directive for retaining data – namely two years for phone data. Although he has provided for a lesser period of one year for the retention of internet data, this is still too long. The standard period for retention of phone data in other EU states is only one year, and we should have that as the period for retention of phone data. We should have provided for a period of six months for retention of internet data.”

The Minister declined to accept any Labour amendments and the bill was passed through all stages. Speaking at the conclusion of the debate, Senator Bacik said:

“Labour welcomes the passage of the bill, but we regret that the Minister did not accept any of our amendments, which were intended to strengthen the safeguards in the bill against any abuse of the right to privacy. Our amendments would have ensured a more robust and balanced bill.”



ENDS