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New data commissioners take up positions

Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland took up their roles as commissioners with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) yesterday (20 February).

Dr Hogan, who had been Assistant Chief State Solicitor in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor since 2015, will be the chair of the Commission.

Both appointments were announced by the Government last week, with the commissioners appointed for a five-year term.

Dr Hogan described joining the DPC as “a deep honour”.

“The Commission will aim to build on its strong legacy over the coming years, and I look forward to working with its many stakeholders,” he said.

‘Effective and fair’ supervision

Sunderland sad: “We will continue to uphold data-protection rights through guidance, engagement, and the effective and fair supervision and enforcement of the GDPR and other data-protection laws.”

Dr Hogan also paid tribute to the outgoing commissioner, Helen Dixon, whose tenure came to an end on 19 February.

“I am deeply grateful to our predecessor Commissioner Dixon for her outstanding dedication and public service during her tenure,” he stated.