MINISTER of Science, Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley is to chair the 11-member joint select committee which will review the recently tabled Data Protection Act 2017.

The full committee will also include: Marisa Damryple Phillibert, Juliet Cuthbert- Flynn, Franklyn Witter, Julian Robinson, and Mark Golding, from the House of Representatives; and senators Pearnel Charles Jr, Matthew Samuda, Kerensia Morrison, Donna Scott-Mottley and Sophia Fraser-Binns from the Senate.

The long-delayed legislation, which is also linked with the introduction of a national identification system, is aimed at securing the confidentiality of personal data which may be in the possession of entities, including the government, and to provide for the rights of individuals in relation to their personal data in the possession of those entities.

According to its Memorandum of Objects and Reasons, the Bill will give effect to that decision and, among other things, establish the office of an information commissioner charged with the responsibility of overseeing the manner in which personal data in the possession of those entities are handled.

The Bill also takes into consideration that Jamaica, as member of CARIFORUM, entered into an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the European Union in October 2008. The EPA requires signatory CARIFORUM States to establish appropriate legal and regulatory regimes, in line with existing high international standards, with a view to ensuring an adequate level of protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data.

Responsibility for the implementation and administration of the legislation will fall under the portfolio of the minister responsible for information and communications technology.