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 ·      Minister to participate in live Q&A @TwitterDublin HQ today to mark Data Protection Day #AskDara
 
·      Ireland to host two day international Data Summit in June
 

The Minister of State for European Affairs, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Dara Murphy TD, today marked Data Protection Day with a keynote address at the 9^th Annual Data Protection Conference, hosted by the Irish Computer Society and the Association of Data Protection Officers at the Aviva Stadium Conference Centre.

This afternoon, at 2.30 pm, the Minister will participate in a live Q&A @TwitterDublin HQ where he will answer questions on data protection and Ireland’s preparations for the EU General Data Protection Regulation ahead of May 2018. Questions can be submitted to the Minister in advance using the hashtag #AskDara on Twitter.

Speaking about Ireland's preparations ahead of the entry into force of the new EU General Data Protection Regulation in May next year, Minister Murphy said:

"The Regulation brings significant changes and challenges for us all. The numbers attending here today clearly shows how proactive organisations are being in preparing for these changes. We must by no means rest on our laurels, but I have been quite heartened with the positive feedback I have been receiving recently about Ireland and our preparations for the Regulation.

"EU Commissioner Jourova visited Dublin in October and met with industry and trade bodies and I know she was struck by the quality of the discussions and the level of preparedness among Irish companies, as well as being very positive generally about just how advanced Ireland is on this agenda. I have also visited both the US and Germany in recent months in relation to my data protection brief and on both visits, there was positive commentary about just how proactive Ireland and Irish based organisations are being. And you as professionals and leaders in the field are driving this work."Many of the trade bodies and large companies have offered to work with Government and the Commissioner’s Office to help spread the word, and to ensure that SMEs in particular are given support around preparing for the Regulation. I know from hearing the Data Protection Commissioner speak at a number of recent events that communicating the need to prepare for the GDPR is a key priority for the Office over the coming months."Minister Murphy announced that Ireland will host a major international Data Summit on 15-16 June. He said:"We are working to increase awareness of data protection across society and to have the kinds of multi-faceted and sometimes challenging conversations that are needed about the role of data in our modern society. 

"I'm delighted to announce we will be hosting a Data Summit on 15-16 June this year. This will be a major, two day international conference bringing together a range of experts to consider and highlight some of the issues arising from the ever expanding role of data in modern life. 

It is hoped that the Summit will help to bring a greater balance to conversations about the use of data, and contribute to a better understanding of the role of data in modern society. We will also use the event to showcase good use examples of data across the public, private and not-for-profit sector and to focus on preparations for the GDPR." 

ENDS