Data Commissioner supports call for return of Garda files from whistleblower

The Data Commissioner has supported the Garda Commissioner's calls to have a box of files returned to Gardaí, after they were leaked by a whistleblower.

It is understood the box contains further evidence of the cancellation of penalty points.

The Commissioner, Billy Hawkes, claimed the release of the information which was handed over to the Public Accounts Committee over concerns of millions of euro lost in the cancellation of penalty points, may be in breach of the Data Protection Act.

However, Mick Clifford, journalist with the Irish Examiner, said there is also grounds to defend the handing over of the information.

"In the data protection act, there is prevision for disseminating confidential persona information if public monies [are at issue]."

"As I understand it, the whistleblower's reason … is because millions of euro had been lost through the cancellation of these penalty points."