PrivacyChecker
🇮🇪

GDPR Compliance in Ireland

Éire · Data Protection Act 2018

TL;DR

Websites targeting users in Ireland must comply with GDPR as implemented locally through the Data Protection Act 2018. The supervisory authority is the Data Protection Commission (DPC). Notable enforcement: Meta (Instagram) fined for children's data handling (€405 million). Use our free scanner below to check your website instantly.

Check your website's Ireland compliance now

Free audit — 25+ automated checks in 60 seconds

Scan My Website Free →

Data Protection Authority

Authority

Data Protection Commission (DPC)

Local Law

Data Protection Act 2018

Language

English

Largest Fine

€405 million

Population

5.1 million

Key Requirements for Ireland

Lead supervisory authority for most Big Tech companies (Google, Meta, Apple, TikTok)

Cookie consent must be prior, informed, and specific

Strong enforcement on children's data protection

DPO required per standard GDPR criteria

Data breach notifications within 72 hours

Cross-border processing coordination with other EU DPAs

What Makes Ireland Different?

Ireland's DPC is the lead supervisory authority for most major tech companies headquartered in the EU. They have issued record fines including €1.2 billion to Meta for US data transfers — the largest GDPR fine ever.

Ireland Website Compliance Checklist

Cookie consent banner that requires opt-in before non-essential cookies

Privacy policy available in English

Clear identification of data controller and contact details

Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with all third-party processors

Lawful basis documented for each processing activity

Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) process in place

Data breach notification procedure compliant with 72-hour rule

Data Protection Impact Assessment for high-risk processing

International data transfer mechanisms documented (SCCs, adequacy decisions)

Records of processing activities (ROPA) maintained

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the GDPR requirements for websites in Ireland?

In Ireland, websites must comply with GDPR as implemented by the Data Protection Act 2018. Key requirements include obtaining explicit consent before setting non-essential cookies, providing a clear privacy policy, appointing a DPO when required, and notifying data breaches within 72 hours to the Data Protection Commission (DPC).

Who enforces GDPR in Ireland?

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the supervisory authority responsible for enforcing data protection laws in Ireland. They can investigate complaints, conduct audits, and issue fines up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover.

How can I check if my website complies with Ireland data protection laws?

Use PrivacyChecker's free scanner to perform an instant audit of your website. Our tool checks 25+ compliance points including cookie consent, privacy policy presence, security headers, tracker detection, and more — all relevant to Ireland's GDPR requirements.

Is your website compliant in Ireland?

Find out in 60 seconds with our free GDPR scanner

Run Free Audit →

GDPR Compliance in Other Countries

🇩🇪Germany🇫🇷France🇳🇱Netherlands🇪🇸Spain🇮🇹Italy🇧🇪Belgium🇦🇹Austria🇵🇱Poland