UN Special Rapporteurs stress importance of independent DPAs
Published: 05/11/2026
| RTE
UN human rights experts have contacted the Irish government to highlight the importance of maintaining an independent data protection authority (DPA) and ensuring effective access to the courts, especially when regulating powerful technology companies. The approach follows a report published on 23 October on the improper influence of economic actors on the judiciary, along with an earlier report in June on the independence of judges and lawyers.
A joint intervention by the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers and the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy highlighted that the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) serves as the lead supervisory authority for significant cross-border cases under the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), given that numerous tech conglomerates maintain European headquarters in Ireland.
The Special Rapporteurs stressed that institutional independence relies on transparent, rigorous appointment procedures grounded in objective criteria, impartial selection panels, and robust pre-appointment vetting for conflicts of interest. While noting past private-sector employment does not inherently undermine independence, the rapporteurs said professional ties, financial interests, and continuing obligations demand strict scrutiny, full disclosure, and formal recusal mechanisms.
The scrutiny follows the Irish government's appointment of former Meta executive Niamh Sweeney as a third Data Protection Commissioner.
Ireland's Department of Justice said it is fully satisfied with the appointment after Sweeney committed to recusing herself from investigations into Meta during her tenure at the company.
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Image credit: T. Schneider
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