The Government has announced the appointment of two new Data Protection Commissioners, Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland.
Their appointments will take effect from 20 February for a five-year term with Dr Hogan appointed as Chairperson.
The tenure of the outgoing commissioner, Helen Dixon, comes to an end on 19 February after almost a decade in the post.
In July 2022, the Government decided to expand the office due to its increased workload by bringing to three the number of commissioners at the Data Protection Commission (DPC).
The Public Appointments Service will shortly begin a process to fill the third remaining vacancy.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the DPC has played a pioneering role in enforcing the GDPR across Europe as the lead supervisory authority for a large number of technology and internet platform companies with EU headquarters in Ireland.
“The two new commissioners will support an effective and well-resourced, highly-skilled regulator,” Ms McEntee said.
“85% of the fines issued across Europe last year, including the EU, EEA, and UK, were issued by the DPC on foot of detailed and comprehensive investigations,” she added.
The minister also paid tribute to the outgoing commissioner, Ms Dixon.
“I would like to thank Helen for the dedication, strength and vision she has shown throughout her time as Data Protection Commissioner,” she said.
Dr Des Hogan has been Assistant Chief State Solicitor in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor since 2015.
Dale Sunderland joined the DPC in 2016 as a deputy commissioner.
