McDowell to take EU to court over data retention law

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell is to take the EU to court to retain Ireland’s veto over decisions affecting state security.

In Brussels yesterday, Mr McDowell, in a one-man battle with his fellow Justice Ministers, won the right for Ireland to opt out of new data retention legislation.

As a result, Ireland will retain a law that ensures a complete log of phone calls, emails, faxes and text messages is retained for three years - the longest of any member state.