The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25th May 2018. The GDPR significantly changed data protection law in Europe, strengthening the rights of individuals and increasing the obligations on organisations.
What Personal Information does ITGA collect?
As a membership organisation, collecting a certain amount of personal information is required in order for us to perform our information services such as circulating ITGA newsletters, field day notifications and the annual Forestry & Timber Yearbook. We also need to be able to collect our annual membership subscriptions and therefore collect and retain personal information such as name, business name, address, contact number and email address. For members paying by Direct Debit, this means we also have to collect and retain bank account details.
ITGA does not hold any personal information other than that which is necessary to perform its membership services.
ITGA also uses an online membership application system. Online payments are operated through STRIPE.
Does ITGA Share Personal Information?
ITGA never shares any of this personal information with third parties.
ITGA may at times circulate its membership with information on upcoming events organised by third parties through our newsletters, website or via our email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Members who joined prior to 25th May 2018 can opt-out of any email communications about third party events by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New members, after 25th May 2018, can to do so on the current ITGA Membership forms.
Is ITGA membership information Confidential and Secure?
The confidentiality and security of members’ personal information is of importance to us. ITGA uses a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect members’ personal information from unauthorised access, use or disclosure. To minimise the risk of loss or security breach no members’ personal information is stored or transported on portable devices such as laptops or USB sticks.
How long does ITGA retain personal information?
ITGA retains personal information for the membership duration and for a limited period thereafter for legal and tax purposes, as required by law. The current requirement is to keep company records, including membership records, for a period of six years.
What changes does the GDPR mean for ITGA members?
In addition to ensuring that organisations are accountable for personal information they hold, the GDPR sets out more clearly defined privacy rights, which members can exercise, these include:
- the right to access personal information an organisation holds on you
- the right to have inaccuracies corrected
- the right to have information erased
- the right to object to direct marketing
- the right to restrict processing, including automated decision-making
- the right to data portability
To protect members’ information ITGA will only accept and process Access Requests from members made in writing.
For more information on the GDPR visit http://gdprandyou.ie/
Last Updated September 2019
