Privacy and Cookies Policy

1. Introduction

This Privacy and Cookies Policy explains how Professor Michael Fitzgerald collects, uses, stores and protects personal data obtained through this website.

Professor Michael Fitzgerald is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy and to processing personal data in accordance with applicable law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”) and applicable Irish data protection law. The Irish Data Protection Commission is the national supervisory authority for the GDPR in Ireland.

By using this website, you acknowledge the terms of this Privacy and Cookies Policy.

2. Data Controller

For the purposes of data protection law, the data controller in respect of personal data collected through this website is:

Professor Michael Fitzgerald
[Insert postal address if required]
[Insert email address]
[Insert telephone number, if desired]

3. Personal Data We May Collect

Depending on how you use this website, the following categories of personal data may be collected:

  • your name;
  • your email address;
  • your telephone number, if provided;
  • any information you submit through a contact form or by email;
  • technical information such as IP address, browser type, device information, referring website, and website usage data;
  • cookie and tracking information, where consent has been given or where such cookies are strictly necessary.

Personal data means any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual, as defined by the GDPR.

4. How Personal Data Is Collected

Personal data may be collected:

  • when you contact Professor Michael Fitzgerald through the website, by email, or through any contact form;
  • when you browse, visit or interact with this website;
  • through cookies and similar technologies placed on your device, subject to your preferences and consent where required.

5. Purposes of Processing

Personal data may be processed for the following purposes:

  • to respond to enquiries or communications;
  • to provide information requested by you;
  • to operate, maintain and secure the website;
  • to monitor website performance and improve website content, functionality and user experience;
  • to comply with legal or regulatory obligations;
  • to establish, exercise or defend legal claims where necessary.

6. Legal Bases for Processing

Personal data will be processed only where there is a lawful basis for doing so under Article 6 GDPR. Depending on the circumstances, processing may be based on:

  • consent, where you have given clear permission for a specific purpose;
  • legitimate interests, including the proper administration, security and improvement of the website, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights and freedoms;
  • legal obligation, where processing is necessary to comply with applicable law;
  • steps at your request prior to entering into a contract, or performance of a contract, where relevant.

Under DPC guidance and the GDPR framework, personal data processing must rest on a recognised legal basis, and consent for cookies is normally required except where cookies are strictly necessary.

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

This website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, analyse traffic and support the operation of the website.

A cookie is a small text file placed on your device when you visit a website. The Irish Data Protection Commission states that consent is normally required for cookies and similar technologies unless they are strictly necessary for the transmission of a communication or strictly necessary to provide a service explicitly requested by the user.

Cookies used on this website may include:

(a) Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of the website and do not require consent where they are genuinely necessary to provide the service requested.

(b) Analytics or Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use the website, for example by collecting information about page visits and traffic sources. Where such cookies are not strictly necessary, they will be used only with your consent. Irish DPC guidance rejects “implied consent” models such as assuming consent from continued browsing.

(c) Functional Cookies

These cookies may remember choices you make and enhance website features. Where required by law, they will be used only with your consent.

(d) Third-Party Cookies

Some embedded content or third-party services may place cookies on your device. Professor Michael Fitzgerald does not control third-party cookies and you should review the relevant third party’s own privacy and cookie information.

8. Cookie Consent

Where required by law, this website will request your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device.

You may withdraw or amend your cookie preferences at any time through the cookie settings tool on the website, where available, or by adjusting your browser settings. DPC guidance notes that cookie duration should be proportionate to purpose, and that browser or technical settings may in some cases be used to express consent where legally valid and effective.

Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the website.

9. Disclosure of Personal Data

Personal data may be shared, where necessary, with:

  • website hosting providers;
  • IT service providers or website administrators;
  • professional advisers;
  • analytics providers, where applicable and lawfully used;
  • regulatory authorities, law enforcement agencies, courts or other public authorities where required by law or necessary for legal compliance.

Personal data will not be sold to third parties.

10. International Transfers

Where personal data is transferred outside the European Economic Area, such transfer will only take place in accordance with applicable data protection law and with appropriate safeguards in place, where required.

The GDPR sets rules for transfers of personal data outside the EEA and requires appropriate safeguards unless a recognised transfer mechanism applies.

11. Data Retention

Personal data will not be kept for longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or reporting requirements.

Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the data and the purpose for which it was collected.

12. Data Security

Reasonable technical and organisational measures are taken to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure or access.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and therefore no absolute guarantee of security can be given.

13. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the following rights in relation to your personal data:

  • the right to request access to your personal data;
  • the right to request rectification of inaccurate or incomplete data;
  • the right to request erasure of your personal data in certain circumstances;
  • the right to request restriction of processing;
  • the right to object to processing in certain circumstances;
  • the right to data portability, where applicable;
  • the right to withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent;
  • the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission in Ireland.

The GDPR establishes these rights for data subjects, and the DPC is the relevant Irish supervisory authority.

14. Complaints

If you have any concerns about how your personal data is handled, you may contact Professor Michael Fitzgerald in the first instance.

You also have the right to make a complaint to the Data Protection Commission in Ireland. The DPC is the national authority responsible for upholding individuals’ data protection rights in Ireland.

15. Third-Party Websites

This website may contain links to third-party websites, publications or external resources. This Privacy and Cookies Policy applies only to this website. Professor Michael Fitzgerald is not responsible for the privacy practices, content or availability of third-party websites.

Users should review the privacy and cookie policies of any third-party websites they visit.

16. Children’s Privacy

This website is not intended to collect personal data from children knowingly unless expressly stated. If it is believed that personal data relating to a child has been provided without appropriate authority or consent, reasonable steps will be taken to delete that information.

17. Changes to this Policy

Professor Michael Fitzgerald reserves the right to amend or update this Privacy and Cookies Policy at any time. Any updated version will be posted on this website and will take effect from the date of publication.

Users are advised to review this page periodically.

18. Contact

Any questions regarding this Privacy and Cookies Policy or the handling of personal data may be directed to:

Professor Michael Fitzgerald
profmichaelfitzgerald@gmail.com