Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioners Called to Intervene

I have now written directly to Ireland’s three Data Protection Commissioners seeking senior review of a series of long-running data-access complaints involving An Garda Síochána, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Fiosrú.

All three complaints have already been transferred to the DPC’s complaints-handling unit, CAERU, but I am still seeking confirmation that they have been assigned for substantive assessment.

This has become particularly important following RTÉ Investigates’ The Gardaí – Full Disclosure, which has raised serious public questions about the handling and closure of sensitive Garda matters and protected disclosures.

My concern is straightforward: what records exist, who accessed them, what decisions were taken, what information was shared or withheld, and is there a complete audit trail?

I have also asked the Commissioners to review two older DPC files after providing documentary evidence that appears inconsistent with the DPC’s recorded reason for closing them.

Most concerningly, the DPC recently told me that if I continued copying other organisations into correspondence, “we will not respond.” I have asked the Commissioners to identify the published policy or procedural basis for that position.

I am not asking the DPC to merge legally separate complaints. I am asking it to ensure that relevant historical and factual connections are properly cross-referenced and that these matters receive meaningful independent oversight.

After years of seeking access to records held about me by public authorities, the fundamental question remains:

Where is the data, and what does its audit trail show?

I will update this petition when the Commissioners respond.