Big workload awaits new Data Protection Commissioner

Although a few months ago he was "counting down the days" to his retirement, Joseph Ebejer was yesterday sworn in as Data Protection Commissioner, filling a post that has been vacant for six months.

The 60-year-old will now have a whole shelf of pending cases to deal with, including the recent high-profile case of the 20,000 stolen passwords from the government's IT agency and the controversy over whether political parties should be allowed to collect personal data from the public.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, praised the senior civil servant for being chosen unanimously by the government and the opposition.

He said Mr Ebejer's predecessor, Paul Mifsud Cremona, was particularly exemplary at his job. Mr Mifsud Cremona died last August aged 65 and Dr Mifsud Bonnici said he continued to work with dedication till the day he died.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that in the coming days Mr Ebejer would assume the responsibilities imposed under the Freedom of Information Act.