Lack of resources for Irish Data Protection Commission

10.10.2019

Question for written answer E-003195-19
to the Commission
Rule 138
Jeroen Lenaers (PPE)

The Irish Data Protection Commission yesterday expressed disappointment at the budget earmarked for it by the government for 2020, which contains only one-third of the additional funding it considers necessary[1].

The personal data of millions of Europeans is stored with the large multinational tech companies headquartered in Ireland, which means that the role of the Irish Data Protection Commission is particularly important among its European counterparts in guaranteeing the privacy of our personal data and ensuring that it is used carefully and through secure channels. The fact that this body does not have the necessary resources to do its job properly is therefore a matter of great concern.

1. Is the Commission aware of these concerns?

2. How can the Commission assist this body in fulfilling its tasks?

3. The reform of the European data protection framework (including the ePrivacy Regulation) is still under way and legislation on the use of artificial intelligence is expected soon. In view of this, what measures will the Commission take to secure the financial future of the increasingly important personal data protection authorities?

• [1] https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/data-protection-commission-disappointed-at-budget-allocation-1.4045248