State not blocking US court’s Microsoft data bid

The Government has no issue with the US court at the centre of the ongoing Microsoft data protection case attempting to access data stored on Irish servers as long as it is done through the proper channels.

In December, the Government filed an amicus brief — or friend of the court document — outlining its position in the case which hinges on the US attempts to access data stored on Microsoft’s Dublin servers which authorities are seeking in relation to a criminal case.

The brief read in part: “Ireland does not accept any implication that it is required to intervene into foreign court proceedings to protect its sovereignty”.