03/03/10

Labour TD Seán Sherlock has cited yesterday's decision by the German courts to throw out its government's Data Retention laws as a vindication of Labour's position on similar legislation proposed for Ireland.

"Only last week the Labour party voted against the Data Retention Bill as put before the Oireachtas last week. Amongst our concerns were the judicial oversight involved in the granting of access to retained data."The German court has ruled that a greater burden of proof is required from those seeking to access the data than outlined by the EU directive that has prompted their law, and the Bill currently in front of the Oireachtas."Furthermore, the German ruling that greater encryption of retained data is required will raise alarm bells for service providers here in Ireland who are already concerned with the costs involved in retaining the data. Not only will the businesses involved be required to shoulder the cost of the vast storage of data as required by this Bill, but the level of encryption required will add extra expense."It is clear that the Government needs to reassess this Bill and their interpretation of the original EU directive."

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