Irish digital rights activists have said that reported Irish Government plans to keep records of electronic communications are being introduced without adequate public notice or consultation.
The Government is said to be about to introduce measures demanded by the EU Data Retention Directive by a statutory instrument and not through parliament, the Oireachtas. Digital Rights Ireland (DRI) has opposed the move.
"It is incredible that the Government proposes to introduce a law which would require every internet user to be monitored without any warrant or prior judicial approval, without any public consultation and without any debate or vote in the Oireachtas," said TJ McIntyre, chairman of DRI. "A law of this gravity should not be made by stealth."
The Data Retention Directive demands that EU member states order ISPs and telcos to keep records of what emails, internet use and phone call activity has come from what accounts.
The Directive does not order firms to retain the content of the communications, just the time and destination of usage and calls. Countries can order companies to keep data for any period, as long as it is between six and 24 months.
The Irish government is reportedly planning to implement the Directive in a matter of weeks using a statutory instrument rather than pushing a new law through parliament.
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