Debate contribution: The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
Debate contribution by Miss Deirdre Hargey on .
- MLA
- Miss Deirdre Hargey
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 30 June 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5043691
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber this evening. The motion is important. I share the disappointment that the legislation did not come to the House sooner in the form of a legislative consent motion, but it is important that, where possible, the Assembly exercises its full legislative capabilities. I welcome the aim of the legislation, which is to improve data-sharing and accessibility through the introduction of smart data schemes, the establishment of the Underground Asset Register and changes to the Digital Economy Act 2017. The Minister has pointed out the reasons why the legislation did not come sooner. The British Government were reluctant to share their advice and assessment of the legislation's impacts on article 2 of the Windsor framework. That is concerning, and it is something that they need to rectify sooner rather than later. The smart data scheme has the potential to enable consumers to access services that are better for their specific needs by authorising third parties to use their data. It is important, however, that we always ensure that that is done in a way that protects people and their rights. While the creation of the digital underground map can improve planning and maintenance for parts of our infrastructure, I note the powers of the British Secretary of State in a particular area and highlight the fact that our Executive have an important role through regulation-making powers. That role needs to be respected in a devolved area. That includes full consultation and engagement with our local utility companies, infrastructure providers and, importantly, local authorities. The expansion of data-sharing between public bodies that is envisaged as a result of the amendments to the Digital Economy Act 2017 could improve efficiency and delivery of public services. Again, that needs to be done in a way that safeguards our citizens. Despite the issues with the LCM, the Assembly and its Ministers have an important role to play in shaping the way in which the legislation is implemented here through regulations and ensuring that those regulations are human-rights compliant and respect the devolved institutions and the governance process.
351 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.03 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.93).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Constitutional question, Brexit, the Windsor Framework and sovereignty.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.04 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.02 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.01 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.04 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.93 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.03 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Constitutional question, Brexit, the Windsor Framework and sovereignty | 0.88 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.12 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:06 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.