Data Protection

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Questions (171)

Sinéad Gibney

Question:

171. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the firing of three members of the US Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board by the Trump Administration and the resulting lack of quorum on the board; whether he has considered this issue in light of the key role of the board in satisfying the standards necessary to facilitate transfer of private and personal data outside of the EU, as agreed in the 2023 Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13387/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Harris)

The EU-US Data Privacy Framework is an important means by which transatlantic data flows are facilitated. I am aware that my colleague the Minister for Justice, who leads in this area, has addressed this matter in answering Parliamentary Questions on 25 March.

I am also aware of developments in relation to the membership of the United States Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. My officials, including through engagement by our Embassy in Washington, engagement with other Government Departments and with the European Commission, are also monitoring this situation, including in relation to possible implications on the legal framework through which data transfers are facilitated.