Future of Tech Regulation 2026

Cian O'Brien was appointed Deputy Commissioner in May 2022, in a role that centres on all large-scale Data Protection Commission inquiries and investigations. Since joining the organisation in 2019, Cian’s roles in the DPC have included Legal Researcher and Senior Regulatory Lawyer. During this time, he was responsible for providing legal advice and assistance on large scale inquiries and investigations concerning both cross-border and domestic matters. Cian also acted as an advisor to the Inquiries Committee and oversaw and implemented the DPC’s process for confirming administrative fines in Court, as provided for in the Data Protection Act 2018. He graduated from University College Dublin and the Kings Inns Dublin. Cian was called to the Bar of Ireland in 2014. He practised law as a Barrister and tutored European Union law before joining the Data Protection Commission.

Dr Brendan Van Alsenoy is Deputy Head of Unit, Policy and Consultation at the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS). He previously worked as a Legal Advisor and Acting Head of Unit at the Belgian Data Protection Authority. Prior to that, he worked as a legal researcher at the KU Leuven Centre for IT & IP Law, with a focus on data protection and privacy, intermediary liability and trust services. In 2012, he worked at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to assist in the revision of the 1980 OECD Privacy Guidelines.

Ruth Murphy is Head of Legal for Google Ireland, leading legal strategy for the company’s EMEA headquarters. With over 20 years’ experience in the tech and telecoms sectors, she is known as a pragmatic and trusted advisor to senior leadership. Prior to joining Google, she served as General Counsel at BT. Ruth is a former In‑House Lawyer of the Year and a Legal500 GC Powerlist honouree. She holds a Law degree from Trinity College Dublin and is qualified in Ireland and in England and Wales.

Elaine is TikTok's Head of Digital Regulation and Governance, Europe. Based in Dublin, Elaine leads a team of legal and compliance professionals who are responsible for ensuring compliance with digital regulation across Europe, including the General Data Protection Regulation, Digital Service Act, Digital Markets Act, and the AI Act. Elaine joined TikTok in 2020 and she established TikTok's European privacy programme. Over the last number of years, she has built out TikTok's European privacy & regulatory function, which has evolved into the European Digital Regulation and Governance team to reflect the interplay between digital regulation across Europe. Prior to TikTok, Elaine was an Associate General Counsel (Data Protection) in Meta, having spent over a decade working at two leading Irish law firms focused on data protection, technology and regulation. Elaine is passionate about technology, with a particular focus on driving innovation to support regulatory compliance at scale in global tech companies. Elaine is a frequent speaker on topics such as AI, privacy and data security and the challenges and opportunities of innovation and regulation.

Miriam was appointed Group General Counsel of AIB and joined the Executive Leadership Team in 2025. She joined AIB in 2013 and has held a range of leadership positions across the Bank. Miriam is a senior legal professional with over two decades of experience, spanning private practice and senior in-house roles. She began her legal career in private practice as a litigation specialist, advising on complex disputes across a range of sectors. Her in-house roles span highly regulated sectors including banking and stockbroking firms. She holds a Bachelor of Civil Law degree from University College Cork and was admitted to the Law Society of Ireland’s Role of Solicitors in 2005.

Jeremy Godfrey is the Executive Chairperson of Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s media regulator and development agency. Under Jeremy’s leadership, Coimisiún na Meán has grown to over 300 staff members and taken on and operationalised new responsibilities in areas such as online safety, video-on-demand regulation and media development and funding. Before joining Coimisiún na Meán, Jeremy served as Chairperson of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). Prior to this, he spent eight years as a Commissioner and Chairperson of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Jeremy has also served as Hong Kong Government CIO and as a strategy and regulatory consultant. He started his career as a UK civil servant after graduating with an MA from Cambridge University, where he studied mathematics.

Dr John Cahir SC is a partner and Head of A&L Goodbody's Technology group, the largest team of dedicated technology law specialists in the Irish market. He draws on over two decades of experience in advising the world’s leading technology companies that operate their European headquarters from Ireland. Combining in-depth industry knowledge with practical problem solving, John guides technology clients on the complex regulatory and compliance challenges that they face in providing their products across the EU. He represents clients in large scale investigations before the Data Protection Commission and has acted in some of the highest profile technology disputes to come before the Irish courts. He also represents clients before the EU’s General Court and the Court of Justice.

Aideen Burke is a partner in A&L Goodbody’s market-leading Technology group. Aideen is a highly experienced lawyer with specialist expertise in the areas of intellectual property, technology, media, data privacy and commercial contracts. Aideen works with domestic and international clients across a diverse range of sectors, including technology, media, telecoms, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Prior to joining A&L Goodbody, Aideen led the IP, Technology and Data Privacy team of a Dublin-based law firm. Aideen trained and qualified as a solicitor in London and has previously worked as an in-house lawyer for a global media and telecommunications company.

Chris Bolland is a partner in A&L Goodbody's market-leading Technology group. He is an expert in privacy, data protection, information technology and e-commerce law. His clients include some of the largest technology companies in the world. Chris advises on all aspects of compliance with data protection law; including the ePrivacy regime, data breach response, international transfers and technical product counselling. He frequently counsels clients on the regulatory implications of new and emerging technologies and products. He also has extensive experience advising on the evolving regulatory obligations for online businesses. This includes advising on intermediary liability (and the eCommerce regime generally), online consumer protection law, geo-blocking rules and content moderation rules.