MEPs to vote on data sharing legislation

MEPs are considering new rules which could force the likes of Google and Facebook to get approval from Ireland before sharing data with the US.

The European Parliament will vote next week on whether technology firms will need approval from a European government before passing information to the NSA.

The scheme is being considered as a response to the surveillance scandal revealed by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

It means Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner would have to approve the release of personal data relating to any Facebook user throughout the EU.