10.— (1) A contravention of F51[section 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 7C or 7D] in relation to a F51[disclosure requirement] shall not of itself render that disclosure request invalid or constitute a cause of action at the suit of a person affected by the F51[disclosure requirement], but any such contravention shall be subject to investigation in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this section and nothing in this subsection shall affect a cause of action for the infringement of a constitutional right.

(2) A person who believes that data that relate to the person and that are in the possession of a service provider have been accessed following a F51[disclosure requirement] may apply to the Referee for an investigation into the matter.

(3) If an application is made under this section (other than one appearing to the Referee to be frivolous or vexatious), the Referee shall investigate—

(a) whether a F51[disclosure requirement] was made as alleged in the application, and

(b) if so, whether any provision of F51[section 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 7C or 7D] has been contravened in relation to the F51[disclosure requirement].

(4) If, after investigating the matter, the Referee concludes that a provision of F51[section 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 7C or 7D] has been contravened, the Referee shall—

(a) notify the applicant in writing of that conclusion, and

(b) make a report of the Referee’s findings to the Taoiseach.

(5) In addition, in the circumstances specified in subsection (4), the Referee may, if he or she thinks fit, by order do either or both of the following—

F52[(a) direct An Garda Síochána, the Permanent Defence Force, the Revenue Commissioners or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to destroy the relevant data and any copies of the data,]

(b) make a recommendation for the payment to the applicant of such sum by way of compensation as may be specified in the order.

(6) The Minister shall implement any recommendation under subsection (5) (b).

(7) If, after investigating the matter, the Referee concludes that section 6 has not been contravened, the Referee shall notify the applicant in writing to that effect.

(8) A decision of the Referee under this section is final.

(9) For the purpose of an investigation under this section, the Referee is entitled to access, and has the power to inspect, any official documents or records relating to the relevant application.

(10) Any person who was concerned in, or has information relevant to, the making of a F51[disclosure requirement] in respect of which an application is made under this section shall give the Referee, on his or her request, such information relating to F53[the requirement] as is in the person’s possession.