Data Sharing and Governance Bill returns to the Seanad

The Data Sharing and Governance Bill returns to the Seanad this week with a commitment from the Minister to address issues of privacy, transparency and accountability raised by Senator Higgins earlier in the process.

The Bill was first brought before the Seanad in the Spring when Senator Higgins engaged in a robust debate with the Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan. The bill has wide ranging implications for the processes and protections established regarding the sharing of personal data between public bodies.

Senator Higgins raised several concerns about protecting privacy rights and improving transparency and accountability during the course of the debate. In particular, she sought to safeguard the protections which had been introduced in the Data Protection Act to protect sensitive personal information, called "special categories of personal data".  

After a lengthy committee stage debate, the Minister committed to addressing several of the concerns raised by Senator Higgins during the report stage of the debate which will commence this week. 

Senator Higgins looks forward to making further progress this week and to continuing to champion best practice in data protection standards.

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‘Quality in Public Procurement' Bill passes final stage in the Seanad

Bill aims to deliver better results from the almost €20 billion Ireland spends each year on public procurement by placing quality at the heart of the process.

 Speaking after last night's Seanad debate Senator Higgins said:

 “In 2021 the Irish State spent almost €20 billion on public procurement. This Bill is about spending better. We need to know that the public money we are spending is giving us the best possible results in terms of sustainability, the environment, employment, social impact, quality and delivery. My Bill would require public bodies to consider both quality and price when spending public money or to provide an explanation as to why not. In other words, think about quality or explain why you’re not thinking about quality.”