Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how cookies and similar technologies are used on the Platform, your choices regarding their use, and the legal framework governing their deployment.
Table of Contents
1. Legal Framework and Scope
This Cookie Policy is adopted in accordance with Article 5(3) of Directive 2002/58/EC, as amended (the "ePrivacy Directive"), as transposed into Irish law by Regulation 5 of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Privacy and Electronic Communications) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 336/2011), and is to be read in conjunction with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR").
For cookie consent records, website visitor data, analytics data, and website/platform usage data processed for its own operational, security, performance, service-improvement, and compliance purposes, Philoware Limited trading as Constituency acts as Data Controller.
2. Categories of Cookies Used
The Platform may use the following categories of cookies:
2.1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookies are always deployed such as session management, load balancing, CSRF, 2FA, to enable secure login, maintain authenticated sessions, distribute server traffic efficiently, prevent malicious cross-site request forgery attacks, and support two-factor authentication security controls.
Cookie ID: cookieyes-consent
Domain: constituency.ie
Duration: 1 year
Description: CookieYes sets this cookie to remember users' consent preferences so that their preferences are respected on subsequent visits to this site. It does not collect or store any personal information about the site visitors.
Script URL Pattern: cookieyes.com
2.2. Preference Cookies
Preference Cookies are used to remember user-selected settings, such as language preferences or accessibility configurations, in order to provide a more consistent user experience across sessions. Where such cookies are not technically necessary for the provision of the core service, they are activated only after the user has provided valid consent.
2.3 Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies are not required for core service functionality and are therefore deployed only following prior, freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous consent. Constituency uses Matomo Analytics to measure and analyse visitor interaction with the Website and Platform, understand usage patterns, improve performance, identify technical issues, and generate aggregated analytics reports.
| Cookie ID | Domain | Duration | Provider / Script URL Pattern | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _pk_id.* | constituency.ie | 1 year 1 month | analytics.ycdn.de|matomo.js | Stores a unique visitor identifier used to distinguish visitors and generate aggregated visitor statistics. |
| _pk_ses.* | constituency.ie | 1 hour | analytics.ycdn.de|matomo.js | Stores a temporary session identifier used to distinguish visits and measure usage during a browsing session. |
Matomo Analytics cookies are used solely for analytics, reporting, platform improvement, security monitoring, and service optimisation purposes. Constituency does not use Matomo Analytics for behavioural advertising, cross-site advertising, profiling for advertising purposes, or the sale of personal data.
2.4. Marketing Technologies
Marketing Technologies are not activated unless the user has provided explicit prior consent. No behavioural advertising tracking is conducted without such consent.
3. Consent and User Controls
Non-essential cookies, including analytics cookies, are not deployed unless the user has provided prior, freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous consent. Users may accept, reject, or customise non-essential cookies through the cookie banner and may withdraw or change consent at any time through the persistent Cookie Settings interface.
Consent may be withdrawn at any time, and withdrawal does not affect processing carried out prior to withdrawal. Consent records are maintained to demonstrate compliance with applicable consent requirements.
Operational note: the live cookie banner prevents Matomo Analytics cookies and scripts from loading until valid consent has been recorded.
4. Cookie Duration and Data Minimisation
Session cookies expire upon closure of the browser. Persistent cookies are retained only for the duration necessary to fulfil their declared purpose and, in any event, not longer than twenty-four months unless renewed by fresh consent.
5. Third-Party Technologies and International Access
Where cookies are deployed or supported by third-party service providers, including analytics or hosting providers, such providers are appointed under written agreements that require them to implement appropriate safeguards to protect personal data and to process such data only in accordance with applicable data protection law. Where cookie-related data is accessed from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), such access shall occur only where lawful safeguards are in place.
Constituency currently utilises Matomo Analytics as an analytics service provider. Where Matomo processes personal data on behalf of Constituency, appropriate contractual safeguards and data protection measures are implemented in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.