Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1111. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will commission a fully independent review of how to strengthen and reform the Data Protection Commission to ensure that it is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13814/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.