Data protection
Introduction
Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for the construction, operation and maintenance of the transmission and distribution networks used to transport natural gas. Gas Networks Ireland carries out work and provides services in respect of the network in accordance with the requirements of Gaslink Independent System Operator Limited.
The Site is owned and operated by Gas Networks Ireland with its address at Gasworks Road, Cork, Ireland (referred to as "Gas Networks Ireland" "we", "us" or "our"), which expression shall also include associated companies including, where the context requires, our third party suppliers and any other person involved with the provision or maintenance of the Site. Gas Networks Ireland takes your right to privacy under Data Protection legislation very seriously. Please take a few moments to read the Data Protection Notice below and our privacy policy in order that you understand your rights.
Gas Networks Ireland data protection notice
In order that Gas Networks Ireland may provide you with an effective service, it is necessary for Gas Networks Ireland to collect and use data relating to you while you are being supplied with natural gas. This data is used mainly to manage your Gas Point Registration Number (GPRN) and for operational reasons, including for example, visits to your premises, works required at your premises and construction and maintenance activities. We may collect and use the data that your provide to us via “Web-A-Read” which is an online services for customers to enter their meter reading through this Site. In addition, data relating to you may be used for health and safety, administration and risk assessment purposes. As the Gas Point Registration Operator (GPRO) information regarding your GPRN is exchanged by Shippers in accordance with debt flagging protocols approved by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). As GPRO we may further be required to report to the CRU from time to time on the debt flagging process generally. We may also request your personal information for the purpose of conducting user surveys, competitions or similar short-term initiatives.
If you no longer wish to be contacted by e-mail or text message with information about products, services, survey’s, competitions or short-term initiatives and wish to remove your consent please contact us providing with your name, email address and GPRN or address;
- Writing to Data Protection Officer, Networks Services Centre, St. Margarets Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, or,
- Emailing dataprotection@gasnetworks.ie.
Please note that it may be necessary for Gas Networks Ireland staff to contact you to clarify your request and ensure that the matter is fully addressed on your behalf.
Gas Networks Ireland may keep your data for a reasonable period after you cease to be supplied with natural gas but will not keep it for any longer than is necessary and/or as required by law.
Gas Networks Ireland may disclose your data to third parties who act on behalf of Gas Networks Ireland in connection with the activities referred to above. Such third parties are only permitted to use your data as instructed by Gas Networks Ireland. They are also required to keep your data safe and secure.
From time to time you may speak to employees of Gas Networks Ireland (or parties acting on its behalf) by telephone. To ensure that Gas Networks Ireland provides a quality service, your telephone conversations may be recorded. Gas Networks Ireland will treat the recorded information as confidential and will only use it for staff training/quality control purposes, confirming details of your conversations with Gas Networks Ireland or any other purposes mentioned in this Notice.
You have the right to request a copy of the information held by us about you. You also have the right to access your data, have changed any inaccuracies in the details we hold about you, the right to object to the use of your data and the right to block any specific uses of your data, by means of a request in writing to Data Protection Officer, Networks Services Centre, St. Margarets Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 or dataprotection@gasnetworks.ie. In order to protect your privacy, you may also be asked to provide suitable proof of identification.
How to make an Access Request:
Under Data Protection Laws you have the right of access to your data. To make such a request, please contact the dedicated Data Protection Team at Gas Networks Ireland:
By post:
Gas Networks Ireland Networks Services Centre
St. Margarets Road,
Finglas, D11 Y895
By email: dataprotection@gasnetworks.ie
In order to assist Gas Networks Ireland to identify your specific data, and, to provide you with the information as soon as possible we recommend that you provide as much detail about the data you seek as possible. This can be done by providing details such as name, address, GPRN, or other reference used when previously communicating with Gas Networks Ireland, or indeed providing some background on your request.
Our Data Protection Team will review the request, and it may be necessary to contact you to verify some details. On occasion, the Data Protection Team may require additional verification of identification in relation to a request, before releasing any information. Again, this is to ensure that only your information is released to you, or to your nominated representative.
Gas Netwoorks Ireland does not retain this proof of identification on file, but merely records having received and verified it as part of the request process.
You may also nominate a representative to act on your behalf, however Gas Networks Ireland may need to verify this nomination with you directly for data security reasons. Examples of representatives are be solicitors / family members / others acting upon consent or with legal authority and elected representatives, etc. Again, here may be further proportionate safeguards implemented to ensure that the rights of individuals are maintained such as seeking letters of authority and identification of the requester.
You can also specify how you would like to receive the records, e.g., by email or by post? We are happy to speak to you about any additional assistance we can provide.
Proof of identity
ID Validation
GNI will only use ID documents for the purposes of identifying requestors. Once a requestor’s identification has been verified, requestor’s ID documents will be deleted. A record, stating that the requestor’s identification has been verified, will be stored in place of the ID document.
Please see below a list of acceptable ID and proof of address.
Forms of ID:
- A valid passport
- A valid driver’s licence
- Proof of address:
- Utility Bill (dated in the last 6 months) (excluding mobile phone bills)
- Financial Statements either Bank or Credit Union (dated in the last 6 months)
- Any document issued by Government Department showing name and address.
Timeframe
We endeavour to get your records to you as soon as possible or within one month from the date of request, or date of validation of the request where GNI cannot identify the necessary records from the initial request received. Where it may take longer to process your request, we will contact you to advise you and to work with you to provide an indication on when you may receive your information.
Contact details for the Data Protection Team
Should you have questions about how GNI uses your information, or if you are concerned about any issue related to your personal data, you are welcome to contact our Data Protection Team . The contact details are as follows:
By post:
Gas Networks Ireland Networks Services Centre
St. Margarets Road,
Finglas, D11 Y895
By email: dataprotection@gasnetworks.ie
Further guidance on data protection:
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the supervisory body for Data Protection in Ireland and its website provides general information on the protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals in relation to the processing of their personal data.
Right of appeal
If you are not satisfied with GNI’s handling of your request, individuals can make a complaint to the Data Protection Commissioner at:
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
21 Fitzwilliam Square South
Dublin 2
D02 RD28
Tel: +353 57 868 4800 or +353 761 104 800
Further Information is available on the website of the Data Protection Commissioner: www.dataprotection.ie
Notwithstanding your right of appeal to the Data Protection Commission GNI are always happy to engage with our requesters to discuss their particular data concerns, and we would be happy to discuss any concerns or issues you have, if you wish to do so.
You can arrange to contact us at dataprotection@gasnetworks.ie to arrange a call at your convenience with our team, or to have your query responded to by email.