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THE REPORT THAT is examining aspects of the Public Services Card still hasn’t been published and there is currently no date in sight for when it will be published.
A draft of this report from the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) that looked into the legality of the controversial card was given to the Department of Social Protection in August 2018.
This contained what the department called “provisional findings”, and it asked for further information and clarifications about the report.
The controversial card was first introduced in 2012 for accessing certain social welfare payments, but has since been expanded as a requirement for other services.
These include getting a driving licence and the driver theory test, but the government has since rolled back on that – and announced it would “phase out” the contracts of employees who are involved in the PSC process.
Almost a year on from that, “answers are overdue” to the public in regards to the Public Services Card, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties told TheJournal.ie.
A spokesperson said: “The public, like the Department, is awaiting a conclusion to the the Data Protection Commissioner’s lengthy investigation into the Public Services Card. It has been nearly two years since they opened a formal audit into the card’s legality.
Rather than waiting for the investigation to conclude, the Department continues to extend the PSC’s compulsory nature into a widening pool of essential services.
‘Decision will be made’
Despite making submissions to the DPC in November 2018, Minister Regina Doherty told Wexford TD Mick Wallace in an answer to a parliamentary question that a response is still awaited.
Doherty said that her department was “specifically asked by the office of the Data Protection Commissioner not to share the draft report with any other party and it intends to abide by that request”.
In a statement to the TheJournal.ie, the department said it’s up to the DPC when it will provide the next draft of its report.
“It is a matter for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner as to when the department will be provided with the next draft of the report.
A decision on whether or not to publish the final version of the report will be made once it has been made available to, and has been considered fully by, the department.
It’s understood that, as the government has rolled back on it being a requirement for some services, it has changed how the investigation into the PSC has been conducted by the Data Protection Commissioner.
Head of communications at the office of the Data Protection Commissioner Graham Doyle told TheJournal.ie that its investigation remains ongoing but is currently at an “advanced stage”.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties said there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be published in full when ready.
Its spokesperson said: “We are also concerned that, when the investigation concludes, neither the Department nor the Data Protection Commissioner will share the report with the public.
The DPC has stated repeatedly that they are not legally authorised to make their report public – this reasoning is unclear to us. The Department also will not commit to sharing the report at the investigation conclusion even though DPC representatives stated publicly in the Oireachtas on 3 April that the Department can share the report at the investigation’s end.
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Ronan Keating doesn’t even deserve to come last with that. Deserves to make no list. It needs to be removed from history like it never happened.
Like him, removed from history
As if his ear vomiting cover wasn’t bad enough, he went and pc’d all over the lyrics too, with the unforgivable; “You sc um bag You maggot You’re cheap and you’re haggard”
This is the best cover version, in my humble opinion. Gives the original a run for its money. What a voice!
http://youtu.be/YgawCu9X8o8
Nope, it doesn’t even come close Dermot
Good Ronnie Drew impression.
Ok I’ve, probably had too many Irish coffees. Great beard tho!
I’ll give ya that one! Haha
Is the author 10 or something? The Darkness song (one your Da would like) was only released in 2003!
And anyway, a Christmas song that gets a choir of kids singing ‘Bells (Bell’s) End’ and ‘Ring peace (piece)’ and gets away with it past the censors is a work of genius! :/)
Ah now Tom… Just to make to make you feel old 2003 is nearly 13 years ago at this stage. Most of The Journal staff were probably making their first communion around that time…
How could you exclude Frank Kelly’s 12 days of Christmas. The best Christmas song ever.
It’s number 33 on that list
The Queen of England actually sent Frank Kelly a letter thanking him for the song, she loved it so much. I kid you not.
@Santa Claus: It isn’t a song and I’m blue in the face from hearing on the radio today. They seem to think because he died this year that they need to play it over and over.
I can’t believe John Lennon’s Happy Christmas (war is over) is not even mentioned! !!!
Only reading the Journal now but you’re right. This list was done by a child.
“Stay” by East 17 is NOT a Christmas song. It was written about the lead singer’s relation who was dying (listen to the lyrics). Some cynical/clever b****rd stuck a few bells and snow to the video and the public lapped it up…
Fairytale of new York is overplayed. Has really ruined it for me! Greg lake and his bittersweet I believe in father Christmas should be in there. Or fogelberg and his another old lang syne.
And what about proper classics like white Christmas and the Christmas song?!
Happy Christmas to all by the way!
Greg lake’s is really an anti christmas song, but it’s gorgeous. Should be on any list of the best christmas songs
Definitely Greg Lake should be here! Like I’m thinking what the fock is Run DMC on it for… To say nothing about number 32!
Power of love, Frankie goes to Hollywood?
Johnny Mathis – “When a child is born”. Easily one of the top ten songs.
Yet they have Run DMC and Ronan Keating on the bloody list.. Amateurs!
Fuddy duddy alert!!! What about Bowie and Bing? Peace earth/ little drummer boy? I know I know but I like it and that’s that!!!!
Driving home for Christmas should be much higher up the list
A lot of Grinch journal posters prefer the other version, “Driving Home Nails for Christmas.” – oh wait, that’s Easter.
It had to be number 1. No other choice. Merry Cwwistmas yaul. :)
The Jackson 5, one of the most annoying versions of Santa Claus is coming to town. A record to play Frisbee with. Its horrendous.
The Bruce Springsteen version is way better! These Journal-ists don’t really know their shlt
Gary Jules, Mad World, 2003 ,The most depressing Christmas No1 of all time.
Yeah but what a song, though! It actually summed up Christmas for me at the time it came out, I was going through a tough time. I still love it.
Where’s Frankie goes to Hollywood.has to be in the top 5
Songs ranked from sh**e to sh**e
Watched east 17 on CH4 the other night..song was about his brother who died by suicide…record execs decided to add the bells etc and go for Xmas no 1..even the video was a copy of bony m..
I m o….Christmas 1915 should be up there ….. Sean O’Shea awful singer in general but this one made for him.
Same auld Lang syne….
” we bought a six pack and drank it in your car”
Absolutely beautiful bittersweet song….
Totally agree Ken.
‘ Schlittenfahrt.’ – I had to be carried out of a record store in Frankfurt with tears of laughter pouring down my face.
Sorry Germans, no offense.
Merry Christmas everyone, – even my red-thumbers…
Paul McCartneys dirge must be truly the most annoying Christmas song every
Could their be a bigger gulf between the genius of Lennon’s song which isn’t even mentioned here and that doodle by McCartney.
Frankie deco number 1…. A song so brilliant it can be listened to throughout the year…
” I’ll protect you from the hooded claw, keep the vampire from your door”…
Fairytale of New York just conjures images of Guinness fart full pubs ….
Grandma got run over by a reindeer?! Anyone?! Surely deserves a spot over Ro?!!!
Pretty much on the button!
No 1 John Lennon – the rest do not even come close. It is not mentioned therefore the list is irrelevant.
The Wombles – Wombling Merry Christmas definitely a classic and Top 20 if not Top 10
I’ve never heard of number 7, Christmas Wrapping.
John Lennon’s Merry Christmas War is Over, should be number 1 or thereabouts, just bizarre that its not even included here, and Coldplay’s Christmas Lights should be right up there too.
I love mistletoe and wine. Fab song. But then I like traditional Christmas stuff
Got into Medieval Christmas Carols and I like them… You never hear them just the same ould nonsense but there is always something new to learn and enjoy…
Can’t understand why Alvin Stardusts “so near to Christmas ” song is not featured.Lovely relaxing melody and very nostalgic video.
Probably because no one’s ever heard of it, never mind heard it.
29 to 32 can get served with the turkey…
Don Henley says we need new Christmas songs, I fully agree with him as we are listening to the same shit year in year out.
No matter where you are on this planet, just close yours eyes listening to Fairytale of New York and Shane and Kristy will beam you beam you back to your local ln Ireland for a few precious minutes
Retweeted your list with a suggestion, a song with the same title as the Mariah Carey. Think you’ll like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1VkMBi9vvw
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