Ms Birgit Sippel:

I thank the committee for giving us the opportunity to appear before it. Looking into the report, I am quite convinced the members know how important Ireland's role is in the enforcement of the GDPR. I underline once again that, in enforcing the GDRP, we are also ensuring other fundamental rights and freedoms such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the protection of private and family life. It is really important. I imagine that, while members may not agree with all of our criticisms of the Irish Data Protection Commission, DPC, they may be concerned about them because they do not paint a good picture of the situation in Ireland. In addition to the commission's report, I would like to hear about the next steps being taken to improve the system and to improve the image of the DPC. I would like to ask two specific questions. One refers to having two additional commissioners. What will their expertise be? Will they work on the same level as the current commissioner or will there be a kind of hierarchy? Do members believe it would be helpful to have an independent investigation that could lead to one of two different views, either that everything is fine or that there are identified concrete gaps? If they think about it, do members already have an idea who could carry out such an investigation?