Helen Dixon has been appointed as Ireland's new Data Protection Commissioner. She will take up her role over the coming weeks, and succeeds Billy Hawkes - who recently retired.

Ms Dixon has experience in both the public and private sectors.

She was appointed Registrar of Companies in December 2009, having previously held senior management positions in the Department of Jobs.

She also served an 11 year career in two US IT multinationals that had bases in Ireland.

She has studied in Queen's University Belfast, and was appointed an honorary fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators this year.

The Minister for Data Protection, Dara Murphy, has welcomed the appointment, saying "As we move at an increasingly faster pace into the digital age, it is fundamental that we ensure that our data, which is becoming an increasingly valuable asset, is afforded the optimum level of protection."

"This is a function which the Data Protection Commissioner has performed since the role was established in 1988 and will become even more significant in the years ahead."

"I would like to sincerely congratulate Ms Dixon on her appointment and I wish her every success in her important new role," Mr Murphy added.