Ireland: Privacy

Ireland's Data Protection Commission received a record 16,160 new cases in 2025, marking a 45% increase from the previous year, while imposing over €530 million in administrative fines. The Commission finalized four major inquiries, with the TikTok decision accounting for €530 million of the total penalties, and concluded 208 cross-border complaints as Lead Supervisory Authority.

The Central Bank of Ireland’s (CBI) consultation on its Regulatory Impact Assessments and Approach to Consultation closes for feedback on 30 September 2026.

The Irish High Court has clarified the scope of statutory exemptions under the Data Protection Act 2018, ruling that organisations can legitimately refuse data subject access requests when legal privilege, client confidentiality, or litigation interests are at stake. This landmark decision establishes clear boundaries between different exemption provisions and confirms their compatibility with GDPR Article 23, providing much-needed guidance for organisations navigating complex disclosure obligations.