Citizens’ computer files and privacy
Horgan asked whether Justice keeps computer files on citizens and sought safeguards and independent oversight. Collins said his Department keeps only necessary staff-payroll files, referred to an earlier reply on personal-data privacy, and invited a separate question about Garda files; he did not clarify whether other departments or agencies keep such files.
asked the Minister for Justice whether his Department keep computer files on citizens other than members of the Garda; the number of persons on such files; what precautions are taken to ensure that no inaccurate information is recorded on the files; whether he will establish a data review board to ensure independent supervision of access to, and the material contained in, such files; and if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to the keeping of files and the citizen's right to privacy.
Comment on this
My Department keep no computer files other than those related to and necessary for payment of salaries, allowances and the like to staff who are remunerated from my Department and, as the material recorded on them is not such that the issues raised in the question would have any relevance, I assume the question is not intended to refer to them. As regards the general question of the protection of the privacy of citizens in relation to computerised personal data, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to questions on this subject on 11 December 1980.
Comment on this
In relation to what the Minister has said, is he still satisfied that citizens' personal rights in relation to computer information which may be kept about them in Garda files, for example, or on the Garda computer, are safeguarded adequately by the present system? Does he consider that some sort of freedom of information Bill or some sort of independent access to these files would be a valuable safeguard for such citizens?
Comment on this
The Deputy appreciates that he asked me a specific question with regard to computer files in use in my Department. If the Deputy wants information on Garda files I am quite willing to supply it if he puts down a special question on that matter.
Comment on this
When the Minister says his Department do not keep this kind of files and so on, I take it his reply does not exclude the possibility of such files being kept by another Department or an agency of another Department?