Ministers have ‘solemn duty’ to protect personal data

There is a “solemn duty” on Government figures, including Justice Minister Alan Shatter, to protect personal data and not disclose it unless the person affected consents or there is a legal basis, the country’s top data protection chief has said.

Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes said that Independent TD Mick Wallace had made a complaint to his office regarding the public disclosure by Mr Shatter that he had benefited from Garda discretion when spotted driving while using a mobile phone.

Mr Hawkes said that, in general, he was empowered to make a formal finding that the law had been breached in such situations. He said while there was no sanction for that, there was “reputational damage” and that the complainant could take a civil case in the courts.