Ryan victorious in Battle of the Ministers over data bill

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Eamon Ryan battled with Justice Minister Dermot Ahern to secure “significant changes” to crime legislation on data retention published this week, it has emerged.

The Green minister fought with his Fianna Fáil colleague over serious concerns he had with Mr Ahern’s plans to grant state agencies extensive powers to access details of personal phone and internet data.

In a statement to the Irish Examiner, a spokeswoman for Mr Ryan said: “The minister was happy to reach an agreement on significant changes to the bill prior to its publication in order to protect and provide digital jobs.”