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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Identity fraud and Data Protection Bill

Summary

Deputy Murphy raised a constituent’s case of stolen identity and asked whether the Data Protection Bill would address identity fraud. The Tánaiste said the Bill was at Committee Stage and members could raise such cases through the debate.

I raise the very important issue of identity fraud. Does the Government have plans to introduce measures to deal with it in the Data Protection Bill? I am aware of the case of a constituent of mine, Mr. Adam Keane, who has been convicted of a driving offence, despite not being able to drive, in what appears to be a clear case of stolen identity. He faced a similar situation on two previous occasions and the gardaí involved agreed that he was not driving the car. He is sitting in Portlaoise Prison and appealing his conviction, but his case points to the broader need for legislative action to prevent and tackle identity theft.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

That sounds like a very difficult case. The Data Protection Bill has reached Committee Stage. It was debated yesterday and will be debated again today. Therefore, there is an opportunity for parties or individuals to raise specific cases to ensure the new legislation will deal some of the issues that have been raised.

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