I couldn't believe my ears listening to Gary Davis, the assistant data commissioner, on The News at One issuing veiled threats to school authorities about collecting data from parents and passing it on to the Department of Education.

As a retired principal of schools for over 30 years, I wish to make the following points:

(a) When I contacted the department on a number of occasions about my difficulties in collecting personal information I was told I was obliged to.

(b) The information Mr Davis referred to does not relate to the statistics form which is issued in October but to forms relating to grants such as the free books grants for pupils and grants relating to socio-economic disadvantage.

(c) The information sought was very personal (eg, number of single parents, medical card holders, separated parents, families with personal and/or financial difficulties) and as a principal I refused to send out any type of form requesting this information.

(d) When I enquired if the data would be passed on to other government departments, I was assurred that it wouldn't be. I always had my doubts. Mr Davis's interview was revealing.

(e) Mr Davis or his office never issued any guidance to school authorities; I believe they should have. Surely that was and is part of the function and work of his office as public watchdogs. They are now reacting to justified complaints from parents and trying to scapegoat the school authorities.

Where was Mr Davis when he was needed. The horse has now bolted and the data commissioner should deal with the people who issued the orders and the forms.

I would dearly love to engage in debate with Mr Davis or one of his colleagues on the issues he brought up.

If I am given this opportunity I'd suggest that Mr Davis and co get copies of the relevant forms from the Department of Education and be clear about how the data is gathered.

David J Fitzgerald,

Former principal teacher