Commission Investigates Irish Data Protection Commissioner Appointment
The European Commission has requested additional information from Irish authorities regarding the appointment of Niamh Sweeney as the third Data Protection Commissioner in Ireland. This request follows concerns raised about Ms. Sweeney’s previous senior roles at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, and questions about her suitability for the position. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) formally complained to the Commission, arguing that the appointment process lacked sufficient safeguards to ensure the independence and impartiality required by EU law.
The ICCL’s complaint highlighted that Ireland’s appointment procedure did not adequately protect against conflicts of interest or political interference. The organization described Ms. Sweeney as an “ex-Meta lobbyist,” suggesting that her appointment could signal leniency toward the tech industry. According to EU regulations, data protection authorities must operate independently and be free from any suspicion of partiality to effectively protect personal data rights.
Previously, the European Commission stated that it had no authority to intervene in the appointment of Ms. Sweeney. However, a recent letter to the ICCL indicates that the Commission has reconsidered and initiated an informal dialogue with Irish authorities to gather further information. This process, known as an EU Pilot dialogue, allows the Commission to determine whether there is a basis to start a formal infringement procedure related to potential non-compliance with EU laws.
The Commission advised the ICCL to seek legal advice on possible remedies at the national level, noting that submitting a complaint to the Commission does not pause the deadlines for legal action in Ireland. The ongoing exchange between the Commission and Ireland reflects the importance of transparency and the strict enforcement of EU data protection standards to maintain trust in supervisory authorities.
