Ireland’s CCPC confirmed in EU Data Governance Act role

Out-Law reported last summer that the CCPC, Ireland’s competition authority, would be handed an important role under the new regime. Legislation has now been implemented in Ireland to designate the CCPC as its competent authority under the DGA.

Under the DGA, each EU member state must designate at least one competent authority responsible for the registration and supervision of data altruism organisations – organisations that make their data available for use in support of “objectives of general interest”, such as to support healthcare, combat climate change, or improve public services.

EU member states must also designate a competent authority responsible for receiving notification of data intermediation services providers – neutral parties that will facilitate data sharing by connecting data holders or data subjects with data users.

The CCPC will assume both of these functions. It is also responsible for monitoring compliance with the DGA, investigating non-compliance and taking necessary enforcement action in the event of a breach. This includes the power to bring and prosecute legal proceedings for certain breaches, which may result in court-imposed fines.

Representatives from national competent authorities will also sit on the new European Data Innovation Board – an expert group tasked with advising the European Commission on the implementation of data sharing reforms within the EU.

Brian McHugh, CCPC chairperson, said: “Data is at the centre of the digital transformation, and data-driven innovation can bring enormous benefits to citizens and businesses. We look forward to our new responsibilities under the Data Governance Act and contributing to the creation of a trusted data economy which is transparent, proportionate and fair.”