New privacy bill given priority

THE Government will publish new legislation protecting privacy during the next three months.

A Privacy Bill is among the list of 16 bills given priority for publication before the summer recess.

The Defamation Bill was due to be published before Easter but was delayed after several Fianna Fáil Cabinet members, including Noel Dempsey, Brian Cowen and Martin Cullen, insisted that provisions to protect the privacy of individuals from media intrusions also be included.

After a number of postponements, Justice Minister Michael McDowell agreed earlier this month to bring forward fresh proposals for privacy legislation.

The legislative programme also includes the Road Traffic Bill, which will ban mobile phones in cars; allow for random breath tests and also facilitate the introduction of a network of speed cameras throughout the country.

New health legislation also earmarked for publication this term will provide for the establishment of a statutory social services inspectorate which will have wide powers of inspection of facilities for children, older people and people with disabilities. Bodies representing these vulnerable groups have long called for a strong State-backed system of inspection.

The Childcare (Amendment) Bill will allow foster carers of children under their long-term care greater autonomy to apply for passports on their behalf or to make routine medical and dental appointments.