We note that today the office of the Irish Data Protection Commission levied a fine of €225m on Whatsapp, a messaging arm of Facebook. This was done in the context of outrage from a number of other European Data Protection Commissioners. They felt quite rightfully that the original proposed fine of €30m was far too low given the revenues of [...]
It appears that many solicitors have expressed their views on the legal issues that will arise from people returning to the workplace post Covid. The only common ground shared is that “there are legal issues!” The following should not be taken as legal advice, and has no basis more reliable than our own meandering experience (to misquote Baz Luhrmann). Can [...]
It remains something of a surprise to us that there has been so little media coverage of late of the HSE Cyber Attack. Almost two months has now passed since the hacking incident and it appears that health services are still greatly affected and the Health Service Executive remains remarkably reticent to say what happened. They are even slower to [...]
On the 25th May 2021 we wrote a letter to Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health. It was a follow up letter to the open letter we sent on the 21st May 2021. To date we have not received any response from Minister Donnelly, the HSE or any member of the Government. Given that the HSE and Minister for Health [...]
Following from our blog post this day last week two things became immediately obvious; firstly people were very interested in the issue, and secondly, no one really understood the Law surrounding the GDPR, and the potential exposure the HSE has created for the Irish State. We have now written as well researched and cited a guide on the law as [...]
Mondays blog post generated quite a response. Although we were not named by Minister Donnelly, we must assume we (and no doubt other colleagues) were being referred to on the 20th May in his Newstalk interview (HSE cyber attack: 'Distasteful' legal firms 'licking their lips' at thoughts of suing State | Newstalk) We were afforded the right of reply, which [...]
As experts in Data Protection we have got numerous phone calls in the past few days in relation to the HSE Cyber Attack. Many people are genuinely worried what the implication of this attack are for them. For now, it is too early to say with any degree of certainty, but as time passes the true cost and implications of [...]
We have had a number of queries from clients with developmental and agricultural holdings in respect of the legality (or illegality) of cutting hedges during the "closed season". The Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended) provides that it is illegal to cut hedges from the 1st March to the 31st August. This is for the very good reason that birds and [...]
We continue to to be open for business as an essential service. In the interests of the safety and well being of our staff we are however avoid in person meetings as much as possible. We can however facilitate consultations by Zoom, Teams, Face time or our own favorite "Whereby", Stay Safe, from all at O'Dowd Solicitors.
The offices of O'Dowd Solicitors are open and functioning behind closed doors and will continue to do so for the currency of the current lockdown. Unfortunately we cannot facilitate in person appointments at this time, and all consultations will be conducted remotely. Our phones will be answered during usual business hours and you may also avail of the following online [...]
