The deadline for implementation of the Directive was October 1998. The UK implemented it just in time, with its Data Protection Act 1998 which completely replaced the earlier 1984 Act. Ireland's implementing law, the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003, amends rather than replaces the country's 1988 Act.
The Directive was designed to ensure that there are no barriers to the free flow of information between member states of the European Union while demanding a high standard of protection for personal data.
The bulk of the provisions in the Irish law will come into force on 1st July 2003. The remainder, including provisions relating to registration and enforced subject access, do not yet have a date set for commencement.
