Athlone woman's term as Data Protection Commissioner ends in coming days
After serving for almost a decade as Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner, Athlone native Helen Dixon's term in the role will end on Monday next (February 19).
In the high-profile job, Ms Dixon was regarded as one of the most important regulators of big technology firms globally.
She is now taking on a new role as Commissioner in the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
Ms Dixon is a past student of Our Lady's Bower, and a daughter of Máire and the late Brigadier General Pat Dixon of Sli an Aifrinn.
In August 2014 she became the first woman to be appointed Data Protection Commissioner, having previously worked in the Companies Registration Office, with the Department of Jobs, and with two US multinationals.
Some 27 staff members were attached to the Data Protection Commission in 2014, but since then it has grown significantly in its scope and responsibility, and now employs more than 220 people.
Ms Dixon was reappointed for a second five-year term as Data Protection Commissioner in May 2019.
She made several landmark decisions in the role, including last year imposing a record fine of €1.2 billion on Facebook's owner, Meta, for violating EU data privacy rules.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee paid tribute to the work done by Ms Dixon over the last decade.
"I would like to thank Helen for the dedication, strength and vision she has shown throughout her time as Data Protection Commissioner.
"Under her stewardship, the Data Protection Commission's size and remit has expanded significantly and is currently staffed with some 222 employees.
"Helen has led the organisation through this expansion and navigated an evolving data protection landscape following the enactment of the General Data protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018.
"I wish Helen well in her new role as Commissioner in the Commission for Communications Regulation," the Minister concluded.
The Government this week announced that Ms Dixon would be replaced by two new Data Protection Commissioners - Dale Sunderland and Dr Des Hogan - who are to commence five-year terms from Tuesday next.