Niamh Smyth
Cavan-Monaghan · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“I thank Senator Higgins for speaking to this amendment and Senator Stephenson for putting it forward. I fully agree on the importance of co-operation and co-ordination between competent authorities in the implementation and enforcement of the AI Act.”
“63 would reduce the current period of 14 working days to a period of no more than seven days. The purpose of section 49 is to balance regulatory intervention with fair procedures.”
“I am going to take time after this debate to look at the Instagram account the Deputy raised today to see for myself. I do not disbelieve the Deputy. It upsets me so much to see that is allowed. Where is the monitoring of it?”
“These are: prohibited practices under Article 5; serious incidents reported under Article 73; high-risk AI systems referred to in annexe III in accordance with Article 49(5); and any other AI-related incidents or notifications required to be reported under the regulation.”
“The Government will continue to benefit from the expertise of the office in the deployment and implementation of AI-related policy and regulation.”
“I know that when you go to public meetings like those in question, there are tough stories from parents and you may feel a little inadequate sometimes in being able to deal with these things as quickly as possible. I am glad the Deputies used their time here today to make the presentation and to campaign for the parents.”
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“As I said, I am trying to get the balance right. I think it can be done in a way that ensures that our citizens and our values are protected and, equally, that our businesses are allowed to scale and grow when we take away some of the bureaucracy that has hampered them. I commend the Senator. I heard her on “Late Debate” one night as I was travelling home and I know how passionately she feels about this. Coimisiún na Meán has certain powers under the Digital Services Act and it will act. It is collating the information. We have very strong laws here in Ireland. It is intolerable and it will not be tolerated. We have some of the most robust laws in Europe around child sexual abuse material. There is no doubt about that. Coimisiún na Meán, working with An Garda Síochána, is pulling together all this information with might and main.”
“We would be putting our heads in the sand if we did not accept that Irish small, medium-sized and larger businesses, and businesses across Europe, feel they have been crippled by burdensome bureaucracy. My vision of what the omnibus can do for Irish and European businesses is to take away some of those layers of bureaucracy and allow the businesses to scale and grow. As Senator Stephenson said, Irish businesses have been founded on good regulation. They are known and trusted for their good regulation. Any of the start-up tech businesses I have met are really keen to get going in Ireland because regulation is good and they know that travels globally. On the Senator’s point about deregulation, if I thought it compromised in any way the protection of our citizens I would not sleep at night and I would not advocate for it.”
“I thank Senators Crowe, Nelson Murray, Scahill, Harmon, Stephenson and Ruane for their really thoughtful contributions. The debate has been very measured, thoughtful and considered. It demonstrates the advantages of AI in terms of its capabilities. It has to be acknowledged that AI has significant potential to allow businesses, particularly SMEs, to grow and scale up. Equally, the responsibility I have - it bears very heavily on me to do it right - is to ensure that our citizens are protected, that our fundamental values and our values as Irish and European citizens are protected, and that our children are protected. Getting the balance right between doing that and doing what we need to do for enterprise is not an easy tightrope to walk but I am going to walk it and do that as best and as balanced as I possibly can.”
“As Minister of State with responsibility for Al and digital transformation, I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. I look forward to showcasing Ireland's leadership, strengthening collaboration across member states, and supporting ethical, sustainable and inclusive technology development.”
“These hubs, in Cork, Dublin, Mullingar and Sligo, are delivering real, practical supports that help SMEs to understand, test and adopt advanced digital technologies with confidence. The Government will soon publish an updated national digital and Al strategy, setting out a clear roadmap for Ireland's digital and Al adoption in the years ahead. It will take a whole-of-government approach, supporting Al uptake across all sectors and addressing the key enablers of a strong digital economy, from skills to infrastructure to modern public services. As Ireland approaches the EU Presidency, we have a huge opportunity to help to shape Europe's digital and Al agenda. On 14 October, we will host an Al and digital summit in Dublin, bringing together more than 1,000 participants, including leaders from industry, government and research.”
“I have seen first-hand the impact that Al can have on boosting productivity and enhancing competitiveness in firms of all sizes. To empower more businesses, particularly SMEs, to adopt AI, I am working with local enterprise offices, European digital hubs, and enterprise agencies to ensure that every SME is aware of the benefits and the State supports available to them. We hosted our first information event in Cavan last week and look forward to replicating this across the country in the months ahead. Building on this momentum, a further €23 million in additional funding was recently announced for Ireland's four European digital innovation hubs to support SMEs in their uptake of AI and other cutting-edge digital technologies.”
“I have been vocal at meetings with ministerial colleagues across the EU that Ireland believes that the digital simplification package should take a dynamic, ambitious and risk-based approach, focusing on removing regulatory overlaps, reducing administrative burdens and supporting compliance. However, I want to be clear that simplification does not mean deregulation. The proposed simplification measures have been arrived at through significant stakeholder consultation by the Commission. They maintain the same high standards for safety and fundamental rights, while ensuring more effective implementation of the Al Act. Equally important to our future success is to fast-track widespread adoption of digital and AI technologies across our enterprise sector.”
“A key function of the new office will be establishing a national AI regulatory sandbox, giving Ireland's businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, SMEs, and start-ups a safe environment to test, learn and innovate while navigating the Act's requirements. These measures strengthen our national framework for trusted AI. They are also aligned with a wider European effort to ensure regulation is effective and proportionate. The European Commission's digital simplification omnibus package, published in November, is an important development. It includes proposals to simplify rules on data, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, which is a very welcome first step to improving competitiveness at an EU level.”
“The Government recently approved priority drafting of the legislation needed to give full effect to the Act. The AI office of Ireland will be established in August 2026, supported by €1.5 million in start-up funding. Work is already under way on the general scheme that will create the office as an independent statutory body and lreland’s central authority for Al Act implementation. The office will also promote research and adoption. Even though many small firms will not fall under the high-risk scope of the Act, all businesses should start assessing their Al use. Supports to do that are already in place through CeADAR, Ireland's national centre for applied Al, my Department's website and the EU AI Act service desk compliance checker.”
“Recent events around Grok demonstrate exactly why robust oversight matters. One of my core ambitions is to cement Ireland's role as a centre of regulatory excellence. We will champion well-designed digital regulation that protects individuals’ safety and fundamental rights, while still enabling innovation to thrive. This balanced approach is essential to Ireland not only leading but developing technologies and setting the standards that govern safe and ethical use. l am firmly committed to implementing the EU AI Act, a forward-looking framework that balances innovation with proportionate safeguards. We are making strong progress and Ireland has adopted a distributed implementation model so businesses can work with regulators who understand their sectors.”
“To stay at the forefront of global technological change, we must fully embrace the transformative potential of Al across our economy and society. The recent announcement of the €4.7 billion sectoral capital plan for my Department represents a major step change in that direction. It is the largest investment ever made in our enterprise and innovation ecosystem, signalling a long-term commitment to competitiveness, high-quality jobs and the infrastructure demanded by world-leading industries. Crucially, €1.3 billion of this funding is dedicated specifically to supporting disruptive technologies, research partnerships, technology centres and major European projects. However, innovation must go hand in hand with strong and trusted governance. Citizens and businesses need confidence that Al systems are safe, fair and accountable.”
“In this regard, I have asked my officials to liaise with the Commission on the potential for the EU Al Act to be amended to provide protections against the generation of images and deepfakes without consent and the generation of content constituting child sexual abuse material through Al systems. I would like to thank Mr. Declan McCormack and all the officials in the Department who have worked at breakneck speed over the past two or three weeks to get on top of this issue. I will turn to my key priorities and long-term vision for lreland’s approach to Al. lreland has long been recognised as a dynamic, forward-looking digital hub. Maintaining that position requires sustained ambition and timely action.”
“I thank Coimisiún na Meán for meeting with me several times over the past number of weeks to update and inform me of the working being done. The European Commission’s action reflects the clear legal responsibilities placed on platforms to prevent illegal content and safeguard their users. At home, An Garda Síochána has numerous investigations under way to establish if there have been breaches of the law, including under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. As recommended by the Al advisory council, the Government will explore the potential to expand the list of prohibited Al practices under the Al Act.”
“The non-consensual sharing of intimate images is illegal, and generating child sexual abuse material is a crime. The Digital Services Act, DSA, is a crucial piece of the EU's and Ireland’s online safety framework. On Monday, the European Commission announced a formal investigation into X under the DSA to determine whether it has met its obligations in response to reports of the dissemination of illegal content in the EU, including manipulated intimate images. The investigation will examine whether X has met its legal obligations, particularly around risk mitigation, content governance and the protection of fundamental rights. Coimisiún na Meán has been intensively engaging with the European Commission on this matter in recent weeks and will continue to support the Commission in its investigation.”
“I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and those Senators who are here tonight to contribute to this really important debate. Before I outline my key priorities for Ireland’s approach to artificial intelligence, Al, I want to make some points about the online safety matters that have come so sharply into focus in recent weeks. They have highlighted the importance of having an effective legal framework to deal with issues around images, deepfakes and, of course, consent. I share Senators' serious concerns over reports of harmful and illegal content generated through Grok and on the X platform. This is not just an Irish issue; it affects citizens across the EU. Both the Government and the European Commission have been unequivocal. Using Al to create abusive, offensive or harassing material will not be tolerated.”
“Given the already considerable delays in getting this small but complex Bill to this stage, it cannot be further delayed. It is a complex point on the interplay between national, EU and international copyright law and international conventions. It requires careful consideration if required, to ensure no unintended consequences arise from any amendments.”
“I thank the Deputy for his amendment and for raising this point. It has been raised with my officials by RAAP, an organisation that represents performers, in a submission and in a meeting with it. The Government attaches great importance to ensuring Ireland’s national copyright law is in line with our obligations under international and EU law. This is a point which, to my knowledge, has been raised before. It is also not clear what, if any, impact it may be having. However, it certainly merits further detailed examination, which is now under way. I assure the Deputy that if there is a finding that there is any inconsistency between the Bill and international law, this will be addressed through a further amendment.”
“As I have stated previously, the law is clear that it is up to an individual rights-holder to choose to assign their rights to a CMO of their choice, or not to, as the case may be.”
“These rules are not optional; they are the law. Each year, every CMO must submit a detailed dossier on its membership, finances, rules of procedure and so on, and these are examined by the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. The regulations also establish clear rules on transparency of any deductions made. The CRM directive already requires CMOs to take steps to ensure that rights-holders who do not come forward to collect their remuneration are sought out, and the information on unclaimed amounts is made publicly available. Where there is any doubt on this, the IPOI has powers to request further information. The Copyright and Related Rights Act provides the IPOI with power to deregister any CMO that is found to be non-compliant.”
“I thank the Deputy for these amendments; however, they go beyond the scope of this Bill. They seek to amend the Copyright and Related Rights Act to state which collective management organisation has the ultimate decision-making authority as to how equitable remuneration is divided among either performers or producers. This extends beyond the scope of the Bill. This matter was the subject of a long, but now concluded, court case, and the Bill does not seek to address this. The amendments make reference to the collective rights management directive. I assure the Deputy that this directive applies in Ireland. It was transposed by the CRM regulations of 2016. These regulations set out the rules that must be followed by collective management organisations registered with the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, IPOI.”
“(3H) The Circuit Court, on application to it in that behalf under subsection (3F), having regard, inter alia, to the importance of the performer’s contribution to a sound recording which is the subject of the order concerned and, in particular, the change in circumstances that has occurred since the order was made relevant to the particulars of that order, may— (a) confirm the order, or (b) make such order varying the order as the Circuit Court determines to be just and reasonable.”,”.”
“I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, line 13, to delete “reasonable.”,” and substitute the following: “reasonable. (3F) Subject to subsection (3G), a party to an order under subsection (3E) or (3H) may apply to the Circuit Court to vary that order where a change in circumstances has occurred since the order was made, relevant to the particulars of that order. (3G) An application under subsection (3F) may not be made within 12 months from the date on which the order in respect of the application was made except with the leave of the Circuit Court.”
“I thank both gentlemen for their contributions. To reiterate the point, there had been no referrals to the controller before the most recent dispute arose. The adjudication of such matters does extend into the judicial remit. The courts are therefore best placed to deal with this. I take on board the point that it is certainly not pleasant and not a financial direction anyone wants to take but, if the matter extends into the judicial remit, the courts need to be involved.”
“Agreement should be reached through negotiation between producers and performers, and a default 50:50 split applies. Circumstances where there is a deviation from this default split would be extremely unusual. I will now turn to the two Government amendments, Nos. 4 and 5, which I flagged during Committee Stage. These ensure that the amended Copyright and Related Rights Act will provide the same right of appeal as before. This will mean that if an adjudication is made by the Circuit Court, and the circumstances change, there is the possibility for either party to return to the court for another hearing once a year has passed since the original ruling.”
“As discussed during Committee Stage, an individual may take a case, or a licensing body or collective management organisation, CMO, may take a case on behalf of their named member or members. We discussed in great detail the role of the controller as compared to the court as final arbiter of such disputes and the rationale for this change. The Bill removes this function from the controller, in favour of the Circuit Court. The adjudication of such matters extends into a judicial remit, and therefore the courts are best placed to decide on these matters. I do not accept that this will negatively impact on performers and producers in Ireland. To date, there were no referrals to the controller, until a dispute arose between two CMOs, which remains ongoing before the courts. With this Bill, there is a clear process.”
“I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for his amendments - amendments Nos. 3 and 7 to which I will speak, as well as to the Government amendments Nos. 4 and 5 . I also thank Deputy Gogarty for his contribution. Amendments Nos. 3 and 7 were discussed at length during Committee Stage. I do not support them. The Bill sets out a new process to decide how equitable remuneration is shared if this cannot be agreed between those involved, as is required by the EU rental and lending directive. The Bill therefore introduces a backstop, namely, a default 50:50 split between performers and producers. We expect this will mean that it is extremely unlikely that questions on what is equitable remuneration will be referred to court.”
“The purpose of the Bill is to address the findings of the Court of Justice in its judgment of September 2020 with respect to deficiencies in Ireland's transposition of Article 8(2) of the rental and lending directive. The manner in which these licence fees are collected does not fall within the scope of the judgment nor of the Bill. It is already clearly set out in Irish law in the collective rights management regulations, which transpose the EU directive on collective rights management, that any deductions made by collective management organisations must be justified and documented. This wording is already contained in those regulations. These deductions are subject to further scrutiny by the competent authority within the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland. Inclusion of this wording is, therefore, not necessary.”
“I thank all the Deputies on the committee because we had some robust debates on this matter, which I appreciate. I welcome the representatives of RAAP, who are in the Gallery. I thank them for the engagement they have had with the officials in my Department on this. I know they were sincerely meant and very meaningful. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for these amendments. The sharing of equitable remuneration or royalties between producers and performers, when music is played or performed in public, is required by international, EU and national copyright law. This Bill clarifies how this sharing takes place in the case of disputes. It also grants the role of the final arbiter to the Circuit Court rather than the Controller of Intellectual Property Office of Ireland.”
“The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, has already touched on the investment being made in walking and cycling infrastructure to encourage commuters to walk and cycle, where possible, and I accept it is not always possible in rural parts. The Government recognises, however, that the investment will only be worthwhile if the infrastructure is safe to use. Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, need to be safe when utilising our walking and cycling networks to get to and from work and school. In conclusion, I thank the Deputies for raising these issues and initiating the discussion. However, for all of the reasons I have outlined, the Government is opposing the motion. The Government has high ambitions for our public transport and active travel network and is allocating funding to make them a reality.”
“Using the TFI Anseo app, passengers are now able to book on-demand rides with ease, bringing the convenience of modern ride-share together with the reliability and affordability of public transport. This pilot is funded under the Government’s Climate Action Fund, which supports innovative transport solutions that contribute to a greener, more connected Ireland. The roll-out of the current phase of the towns bus programme began with the launch of the Carlow town bus service in 2023. It was followed by the Clonmel town bus service later that year and the Portlaoise town bus service in February 2025. Mobilisation has commenced for the Mullingar town service, with a target launch in quarter 1 of 2026.”
“As Members know, having reliable and safe lifts at train stations is vital for anyone with mobility difficulties. For example, accessibility and safety at Clongriffin DART station have improved. We will continue to make bus and train stations nationwide more accessible, increase the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis and reduce the period of advance notice for disabled people using public transport. I assure the Deputies that the Government recognises that transport connectivity is hugely important for people who live and work in rural Ireland. This is evidenced by the launch last year of Ireland’s first-ever smart demand responsive transport pilots in Achill, Killarney and the north-east of Limerick city.”
“Although the data for 2025 is currently being finalised, we are again anticipating a significant uplift on 2024 passenger numbers. This is evidenced by recent figures published by Dublin Bus, reporting 164 million passenger journeys in 2025. The most recent BusConnects progress report was published in December 2025, covering phases 5A, 5B and 6A in Dublin. It shows that eight out of ten users are satisfied with the service, and 45% believe the bus service in their area has improved. We remain fully committed to building on these positive changes and delivering a public transport system that is responsive to passenger needs. Already, we can see the impact that the increased funding under the public transport retrofit programme is having, in line with the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.”
“It also prioritises the advancement of ongoing programmes and commitments in line with operational readiness and resource availability. These measures allow for the continued growth in PSO journeys. The number of journeys has continued to grow steadily and demonstrates how the public are taking positive steps in making the switch to using public transport. I would have to concur with Deputy Whitmore's comments. She is from County Wicklow and I am from County Cavan. I see it myself, in that people are using buses more and the demand is there. The problem now is having enough buses on the routes to accommodate the number of people using them. We saw an all-time high of more than 343 million journeys undertaken across the PSO network in 2024, which was a record-breaking increase of 32 million compared to 2023 figures.”
“Deputy O’Flynn also raised matters concerning Cork today. These projects, along with others provided for in the NDP review sectoral investment plan for transport, will help to provide a high-quality, connected public transport system for all passengers and help to alleviate congestion. Regarding services, an unprecedented funding allocation of €940 million for PSO services was secured in budget 2026, a significant 43% uplift in the allocation from budget 2025. This allocation will allow for the continued delivery of targeted fare initiatives, including the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of nine, and the young adult card for those aged 19 to 25, as part of the NTA’s national fares strategy.”
“As noted in the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer's earlier remarks, the Government is investing record levels of public funds into public transport infrastructure. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge, as a rural Minister of State, what Local Link has meant for rural constituencies like my own. I never thought I would see a day when there were public transport buses travelling every day on certain roads. It is incredible, and it has to be acknowledged. I want to take a bit of latitude to acknowledge that. Over the lifetime of this Government, we will see the shovels in the ground on MetroLink, DART+, Luas Finglas and the western rail corridor. We will also see the completion and progression of core bus corridors in Dublin as part of the BusConnects Dublin programme, and the progression of the Cork area commuter rail.”
“I have just driven from Bailieborough in County Cavan along the N3, which is a two and a half hour drive. I have always advocated for that area. The issue of remote working in the commuter belt stretches way beyond Wicklow, Kildare and places like that. In County Cavan, along the N3, you will see a pile-up of cars on the hard shoulder, where people are commuting. Obviously, they perhaps now have the flexibility to work from home. In response to Deputy Dolan's point, it has benefited rural communities in particular. We see that in the footfall in coffee shops, pharmacies and all of the little shops in small towns like Bailieborough, Cootehill, Shercock and Virginia. They have all benefited from that. It does not mean that people cannot live in the more remote parts of the country and have a job in Dublin, like myself.”
“The purpose of the review is to assess the effectiveness of the legislation, as well as evaluating its clarity and identifying any unintended consequences. I understand that there has been significant engagement with stakeholders, with the Department receiving over 8,000 responses to the public consultation. The final report of the statutory review will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Work is also being undertaken across Government to inform and support the remote working policy, including the development of a national hub strategy, the working in Ireland survey and other research. The other aspects of the Deputies’ motion are traffic congestion and commuter delays. I smiled when I heard Deputy Murphy say that this only affected Dublin.”
“There has been significant uptake of remote work since the Covid-19 pandemic, with recent data from the Central Statistics Office showing that in the third quarter of last year, almost 1 million people reported working from home at least some of the time. The programme for Government reaffirms the commitment to promoting flexible working arrangements that benefit both workers and employers. The Government is fulfilling this commitment by ensuring the remote working legislation is fit for purpose. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is currently undertaking a statutory review of the operation of the remote working provisions of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Deputy O'Gorman asked when that might be published. We will try to get a concrete timeline for that.”
“I thank the Labour Party and colleagues on all sides of the House who made really important contributions. It is has been a very fair and balanced debate on the pros and cons, as there always are with these matters, of the proposals before the House. As set out by the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, in moving the amendment to the motion, the Government is committed to delivering sustainable transport projects and facilitating remote work in a way that maximises the economic, social and environmental benefits. As outlined earlier, the Government has provided a right to request, which supports and facilitates remote working at the same time as supporting a productive and competitive business environment.”
“The Government's priority, through targeted investment in reskilling and upskilling initiatives, is to empower the workforce with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-enabled economy and to meet the demand for evolving roles. We will also create an observatory, as I have said, dedicated to monitoring the use of AI across enterprise. Working in tandem with a new national skills observatory, it will guide the development of future enterprises. I thank Coimisiún na Meán and wish to remind anyone watching this difficult debate today that there are supports in place. I urge them to report, report, report.”
“Doing that with the Minister, Deputy James Lawless, who is all about further education and the skills base, means we have the right combination to make it work well. My Department, with the ESRI and the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, is undertaking research on the potential impacts of AI on key sectors of the Irish economy. The final report is due to be published early this year. It is clear that the development of new capabilities and capacities within the workforce will be necessary as it is very likely that new types of work will emerge. Ireland has always had an agile and adaptable labour force.”
“I am acutely aware of the concerns raised regarding the impact of AI on the labour market. The impact of AI and the future of work is still unfolding. The expert group on future skills needs report on AI and the Irish labour market shows that Ireland is relatively more exposed to AI-related disruption than other advanced economies, with higher exposure among those who have higher educational attainment. It also indicates that female and younger workers are more likely to be in the roles that could be affected. The research also found that Ireland's enterprise sector and workforce are adapting rapidly to AI, with strong demand for AI skills matched with solid supply. However, as the report rightly notes, the Government must continue to monitor and address any risks AI poses to our workforce. That would be the role of the observatory.”
“The charter reflects the UN's principles of leaving no one behind, as outlined in Digital for Good: Ireland's Digital Inclusion Roadmap. This sets out commitments for businesses and organisations to help close the digital divide by promoting digital skills, affordability, raising awareness and enabling access to online resources. I assure Members that I work closely within the Department and that my colleagues here have a number of forums within the Department that give us direct access to people who are at the coalface. We are constantly engaging with small, medium and large businesses to provide financial support and also to hear from them, where and how they are struggling and how we can support them. We will do everything we can to do that. Artificial intelligence is a disruptive technology.”
“Digital and AI technology is transforming every aspect of our lives, for good and for evil, it has to be said. What we have seen over the last couple of days is evil. Not everyone has equal access to the benefits of these technologies. In 2025, I introduced a charter for digital inclusion as a landmark step in Ireland's mission to create a more inclusive digital society. The initiative emphasises the importance of partnership, particularly the role of larger businesses, to support SMEs to adopt and benefit from digital technologies. I know Deputy Gibney feels very passionately about this. I do acknowledge and am looking at how we can mitigate job losses that will happen. It is inevitable. I do not deny that for one second.”
“The Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Deputy Ó Cearúil also raised the issue. I assure them all that I am working very closely with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, to ensure that observatory is created very quickly as well as the AI office. The transposition of the EU AI Act will be done as quickly as I possibly can. I assure Members that the AI office is established, not in its fullest sense, but it is established. There are resources behind it and a location for it. It will be at arm's length from the Department and will be able to work independently of any of us. That gives me good confidence as well. I will point to a few of the other measures within the Department that address education, skills and regulation, which has been to the forefront of all of our minds over the last week.”
“I may be the face but a team of people have worked night and day over the last week since this issue became apparent to address it in the quickest way possible to protect our citizens, man, woman and child. Our goal is to protect our citizens and we will continue in that vein over the next number of days. I assure Members that I am also meeting with X. That meeting is happening tomorrow. I will relay all of the views that have been made very clear to me today. I will also relay that what has happened over the last week is illegal and that X will face the full rigours of the law here in Ireland. There are a number of things I want to highlight because not all of the conversation today was about that issue. Really important issues were raised here today. Deputy Gibney raised the issue of skills. She has been very vocal on that issue.”
“It has done incredible work. The members are experts in lots of different areas within AI. They worked very quickly to provide me with a concrete document that has given me a deeper insight and advised me about the existing legislation, giving me the confidence that sufficient legislation is in place. It is about enforcement. I appeal to anyone listening in to make reports to Coimisiún na Meán, An Garda Síochána and the hotline. There are mechanisms available to report. There are also supports for victims who have had their images used, distorted, shared and disseminated. There are supports in place and I encourage victims to use them. I thank the council for the four recommendations it gave to me and the Department. I thank my officials.”
“Looking around this Chamber, I know I will have support in doing that. I thank the Chair of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Deputy Malcolm Byrne, who is here. I thank him and his committee for their first interim report and the associated recommendations, which I take very seriously. I also thank Deputy Alan Dillon in his absence for the work he is doing. I encourage all of the tech companies who have been invited in on 4 February to come before that committee. Its members are our legislators and do the pre-legislative scrutiny that informs me and the Government. It is critically important that those companies present themselves before our legislators on 4 February. If the Ceann Comhairle will allow me, I will also take a moment to thank our Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, led by Dr. Patricia Scanlon.”
“I am very serious and earnest when I say, as Minister of State with responsibility for AI, that any user or creator who continues to perpetrate this type of abuse against our citizens, whether male or female and including children, will be stopped and held criminally liable because it is a criminal offence to do what we have seen over the last week. I know it has been going on for a little bit longer than a week but it became very apparent to me in the last week. I have reacted and responded as quickly as I possibly could. I have met with Coimisiún na Meán and with the Taoiseach and I am meeting with the Attorney General this afternoon to be absolutely clear in my mind that all of the necessary provisions are in law. If they are not, I will bring legislation in here as quickly as I possibly can.”
“Those of us in this Government, in this House and in the Upper House could not be in any clearer that these are the rules here in Ireland. I appeal to any companies listening to this debate to obey these laws and to abide by them. Our law enforcement body, An Garda Síochána, came before the committee yesterday in the committee rooms here in Leinster House and it was made very clear that we have these robust laws in place. I appeal to An Garda Síochána to enforce them. I have to be reasonable and measured in my contribution and say that I know enforcement takes a little bit of time. If a provision to shut down X was available to me when it became apparent to me that this vile poison was available so freely online, I would have liked to have the opportunity to ban it.”