Sir, - The Government is engaged in an advertising campaign to recruit people to gather census information from the public. These details will be held on a database and there is no guarantee that they will remain confidential and be used only for the purpose for which they were given.
Until recently we were all under the illusion that the Data Protection Act would protect the confidentiality of details held on database by Government Departments. Last December, however, the Minister used database information to identify members of the ASTI and deduct pay for days on which they refused to volunteer for substitution and supervision.
While it is up to the teachers and their union to pursue this matter with the Minister, I feel it raises a very important question for all citizens. Who knows what other Ministers or Department officials may do with confidential information held on their files? If details regarding health, personal income, marital status etc., were to be passed on to insurance companies, employers or other interests, it could have very serious implications. - Yours, etc.
Susan Hall, Dublin Road, Malahide, Co Dublin.