merrion street

This afternoon the Data Protection Commissioner has furnished me with his decision on a complaint by Deputy Mick Wallace about remarks which I made on a Prime Time programme.

The remarks which I made on Prime Time were addressed by me in the Dáil last May in two debates in the course of which I had no hesitation in acknowledging it was a mistake to make them, I apologised fully to Deputy Wallace and acknowledged that if similar circumstances again arose I would not make the same mistake. I also explained why I made those remarks as I felt they were relevant to an allegation Deputy Wallace publicly made on an issue of importance in respect of An Garda Síochána.

This matter was also considered by the Standards in Public Office Commission on foot of a complaint which was made by Deputy Wallace. The complaint was rejected by the Commission as being not of significant public importance and, accordingly, they decided not to carry out an investigation.

I acknowledge the importance of the role played by the Data Protection Commissioner and the investigation conducted by him.

As the Data Protection Commissioner recognises, both sides have a right of appeal and I am at present examining the decision closely with a view to taking any appropriate further legal steps as may be advised. The decision which the Data Protection Commissioner has made in this complex area of the law raises issues of fundamental importance which I believe need to be further considered in the public interest. I do not intend to comment any further at this time.