Whether it likes it or not, Ireland is front and centre in the global privacy debate, largely owing to the presence here of internet giants like Google, Facebook and Twitter, to name just a few.

Dixon’s arrival into the office of the  Data Protection Commission coincides with a major doubling down on data protection resources in Ireland to meet this implied global responsibility at a time when revelations from rogue NSA contractor Edward Snowden are contributing to an awakening among people and governments about the value of privacy.

As well as the Irish Government appointing Dara Murphy TD as Data Protection Minister, Dixon is overseeing a near doubling of the Data Protection Commission’s annual budget from €1.8m to €3.6m, an increase in headcount from 29 to 50 by September, and the opening of a new office in Dublin in 2015.

As well as playing a global role in ensuring privacy protection amongst internet giants located in Ireland, Dixon is contending with a 50pc rise in data breaches within Ireland.

She tells John Kennedy that it is very likely the Data Protection Commission will require even more resources to ensure privacy compliance and expressed her desire to help increase privacy awareness amongst citizens.