Who we are
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the national independent authority in Ireland responsible for upholding the fundamental right of individuals in the European Union (EU) to have their personal data protected. Accordingly, the DPC is the Irish supervisory authority responsible for monitoring the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and we also have functions and powers related to other regulatory frameworks, including the Irish ePrivacy Regulations (2011) and the EU Directive known as the Law Enforcement Directive (LED). The statutory powers, duties and functions of the DPC are as established under the Data
Our Mission
Safeguarding data protection rights by driving compliance through guidance, supervision and enforcement.
Our Commissioners
Dr. Des Hogan
Des Hogan was appointed as Commissioner for Data Protection and Chairperson of the Irish Data Protection Commission in February 2024. Prior to that he was Assistant Chief State Solicitor in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor in the period 2015-2024. He served as Acting Chief Executive in the Irish Human Rights Commission in 2007 and from 2012 to 2014. He previously worked for the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and for Amnesty International in Australia and its International Secretariat in London. A solicitor by profession, Dr Hogan was awarded a Masters in European Law from University College Dublin and a PhD in Philosophy of Law from Trinity College Dublin.
Dale Sunderland
Dale Sunderland was appointed Commissioner for Data Protection in February 2024. Prior to his appointment he held the position of Director and Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for the Data Protection Commission’s Supervision, Guidance and International Affairs functions. Dale joined the DPC as Deputy Commissioner in May 2016, having previously worked at Ireland’s Department of Justice from 2002 to 2016. During his time at the Department Justice, Dale was Head Communications and Corporate Secretariat, and held various other positions working on Irish-British immigration cooperation, EU criminal justice and policing policy, corporate governance oversight, and international, parliamentary and media affairs.