Taoiseach concerned by alleged INM data breach

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has expressed concern at the alleged data breach at Independent News and Media (INM), saying “democracy can’t function without a strong and independent media”.

His remarks come amid the controversy surrounding the country’s largest media group over revelations that data, including the emails of journalists, executives and other staff, may have been accessed by external companies in 2014.

Mr Varadkar was speaking alongside Communications Minister Denis Naughten, who said there needs to be a “clear distinction” between allegations made “in relation to board activity and also the work of the employees within the company who are trying to do their work on a day-to-day basis”.

The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) will next Monday ask the High Court to appoint inspectors to investigate the suspected data breach and other corporate governance issues at INM.

The Data Protection Commissioner, Helen Dixon, is also expected to launch an investigation into INM, which is the publisher of the Irish Independent and Independent.ie.

Mr Varadkar said: “I’m concerned any time somebody’s personal emails or electronic information is accessed by anyone.

“For our democracy to function, we need to have an independent press and we need to have a diversity of press ownership as well”.

Mr Naughten added: “I think we need to let both of those investigations take place.

“I think it is important that there’s a differentiation here with the allegations that are made in relation to the board activity and also the work of the employees within the company who are trying to do their work on a day-to-day basis.

“I think there needs to be clear distinction made in relation to that.”