Seán Haughey
Question:82. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice to outline the next steps for the appointment of additional data commissioners; and to state what their principal focus will be. [18075/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (82)
Written answers
The Programme for Government commits to ‘recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland’ and states that the Government ‘will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulation’.
The Government is very conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and protection of the data privacy rights of EU citizens, which is critical to the development and growth of our digital economy. My Department’s role is to ensure that the Data Protection Commission, which is independent in its functions, continues to have the resources required to fulfil its important, statutory obligations.
In line with this commitment, on 27 July 2022, Minister McEntee announced that the Government had approved commencement of the process to appoint two additional Commissioners to support the evolving organisational structure, governance and business needs of the Data Protection Commission.
At the time, Minister McEntee also asked the DPC to undertake a review of governance structures, staffing arrangements and processes. This review is being carried out to support the work to be performed by the new three person Commission model. The review is ongoing.
The appointments referred to are to be made in accordance with Section 15 of the Data Protection Act 2018, which provides for up to three Commissioners to be appointed. Section 15(5) of the Act specifies that the Public Appointments Service shall recommend a person for appointment as Commissioner following an open selection competition held by the Service for that purpose. The expectation is that the new commissioners will have the appropriate skills to perform their functions under the Data Protection Act.
The approach to recruitment will be determined in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service in due course, subject to the terms and conditions of the appointments being agreed with the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform.