Brian O’Flynn

I worked in the Irish parliament for two years, for an amazing group of senators. Here is just a small sample of what I did:

I wrote amendments to prevent misuse of police bodycams
for Senator Lynn Ruane.

After evidence emerged of widespread abuse of police bodycams in the UK, I wrote amendments to Irish legislation around bodycams. My amendments proposed penalties for selective use of bodycams by police, as well as creating rights for civilians to request that bodycams be turned on.

I tried to limit surveillance and harmful algorithmic practices by tech companies
for Senator Alice-Mary Higgins.

When the Irish government introduced its Online Safety Bill, I wrote amendments to protect privacy and block intrusive provisions, including proposed surveillance of private messaging services. 

I wrote amendments to limit powers of data retention
for Senator Alice Mary Higgins.

I tried to amend Government legislation which created sweeping state powers of data retention. My amendments aimed to limit these powers in line with GDPR principles of proportionality and necessity, while also protecting journalistic sources from inappropriate intrusion.

I wrote legislation to cap rents on new builds in Rent Pressure Zones
for the Civil Engagement Group.

Ireland has had rent caps for many years, but rent price inflation has not slowed. My research indicates that one part of the problem is the lack of controls on rent prices for new builds - so I wrote legislation to create them. 

I wrote legislation to expand investigations into inappropriate burials at Mother and Baby Homes
for the Civil Engagement Group.

Ireland’s Government introduced very limited legislation to excavate the site of just one Mother and Baby Home where infants had been inappropriately buried. Survivors of other Homes were angry that they were being denied this same closure. I wrote legislation which would enable excavations across more sites around the country.