Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 111
It is welcome that the UK has successfully obtained draft data adequacy decisions from the...
Recommendation
It is welcome that the UK has successfully obtained draft data adequacy decisions from the European Commission. The UK maintaining data adequacy status is key for the continuation of efficient data sharing between the PSNI and the Gardaí, as well as other UK and Irish crime agencies, and the finalising of data adequacy decisions is therefore critical. If granted, the UK’s data adequacy status will be reviewed periodically, and it may be subject to legal challenge as previous EU data adequacy decisions on third countries statuses have been. The Government must explain how it plans to ensure that the UK’s data protection regime continues to clear the necessary bar to maintain the country’s data adequacy status. The Government must proactively engage with the European Commission on this as part of efforts to ensure that data adequacy decisions are reached in good time, ahead of deadlines for their adoption, and to avoid uncertainty about the future of data sharing arrangements.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government states its firm commitment to maintaining high data protection standards and notes that the UK and EU will regularly review each other’s data protection regimes. It does not, however, explain specific plans to ensure data adequacy is maintained or detail proactive engagement with the European Commission.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
111
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
We have always been clear on the importance of high data protection standards in the UK and in the EU. We agree that good data protection underpins international law enforcement cooperation, which is why the UK is firmly committed to maintaining high data protection standards - now and in the future. Going forward, both the UK and the EU will keep each other’s data protection regimes under regular review. Northern Ireland centre of excellence for co-operation and co-ordination to combat crime The Government must support the Northern Ireland Executive in establishing a bespoke Northern Ireland centre of excellence for co-operation and co-ordination to combat crime. There would be demonstrable benefit in ensuring that law enforcement agencies such as HM Revenue & Customs, the National Crime Agency, the security services and Border Force, participate in this centre.
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