Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The Data Protection Commission, DPC, plays a critical role as one of the largest EU data protection authorities and the Government acknowledges its strong track record in carrying out its duties. As the lead supervising authority across many cross-border cases, Ireland is generally the first point of response for new and emerging data protection issues across the EU. By law, it is entirely independent of the Department of Justice and Government.

It leads the EU on the quantum of monetary fines imposed on draft decisions and the number of corrective measures enforced against online platforms. Its decisions have been approved by fellow data protection authorities in more than 90% of cases.

I am aware, as the Deputy referenced, relating to the announcement that the data protection commissioner found TikTok infringed the GDPR regarding its transfers of EEA user data to China as well as its transparency requirements. I note the decision was also reached in consultation with its peer regulators across Europe, as required under the GDPR and no objections were raised to this decision. Government is conscious of the commitment to deliver effective data protection regulation and privacy rights in the context of the DPC's role in the EU.

See this speech in context