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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“Maybe it should be attached to the local primary school. I do not know, but those solutions must be teased out and the correct place to do so is with the Minister, Deputy Foley. I will ask her to facilitate a follow-up meeting with the Deputy to discuss the particular issues pertaining to Kilcullen.”
“I thank Deputy Wall for raising what is a pressing matter for his area and people in Kilcullen. As he said, it has a population of 4,000, but 110 families are affected and 153 children are without a place. Kilcullen has a growing population. When a population is growing, we want to keep that population because of the impact on enterprise, including small and medium businesses, around the area and on schools, given that populations feed primary schools. Schools depend on bums on seats to have the teachers and resources, so it all has a knock-on effect. I appreciate the Deputy raising this issue about his area of Kilcullen in County Kildare. I will follow up with the Minister, Deputy Foley, about it. The two-stream solution has to be looked at. For example, what options are there for providing a community childcare facility?”
“I will liaise with the Minister and ask if she will meet with Deputy Wall on this specific issue around Kilcullen to see if anything more can be done in the community care setting and the private care setting to grow capacity and ensure parents in Deputy Wall's area have the childcare places they need to fulfil their daily lives.”
“All of them have seen a transformation in how childcare is operated and delivered upon. More than anything else, providing capacity and ensuring that parents living in any area have childcare places is critical. Deputy Wall makes very valid points. It is an argument that could be replicated in lots of places around the country. County Kildare is nearly a suburb of Dublin now, with lots of parents are commuting everyday. It impacts mothers particularly when they do not have facilities or places available to them. I will relay the issues that Deputy Wall raised pertaining to Kilcullen to the Minister with responsibility for children and disabilities, Norma Foley.”
“I thank Deputy Wall for raising this important issue. He has raised the issue specifically around Kilcullen in County Kildare. Truthfully, however, the issue he has raised is more widespread than that. It is not so specific to Kilcullen, but I appreciate he is advocating for the parents in that local area who are left without childcare as an opportunity to allow them to go to work and to fulfil their daily lives and their careers. It is an issue we see nationally. However, this Government is committed to core funding being introduced to all of our childcare units around the country and trying to invest in childcare. There are myriad community childcare facilities around the country, as I am sure there are in County Kildare, and privately owned ones, too.”
“Strong export controls are essential to preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, protecting regional security and stability, combating terrorism and protecting human rights.”
“I reiterate that I will ask the Department, insofar as it can, to furnish the Deputy with much greater detail on the refusal I indicated and the reasons for it. My officials seek real-time geopolitical observations from the Department of foreign affairs in respect of all applications, and those views inform the final decision to grant or deny a licence. The assessment process is rigorous. The officials carry out a series of checks to ensure, insofar as they can, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end user for the stated end purpose and will not be used or diverted for any other purpose. Ireland remains firmly committed to supporting open, free and responsible trade within a multilateral rules-based international system while ensuring global security and humanitarian concerns are not compromised.”
“In applying export controls in a robust and transparent way, my Department ensures legitimate business transactions by reputable Irish traders are not damaged in any way, while ensuring exports of controlled goods are thoroughly risk assessed in the context of ongoing conflicts, diversion of goods and humanitarian considerations.”
“I do not have exact details on the reasons the application was refused. I will look for clarity on that and furnish the Deputy with the details. There is extensive engagement between my officials and exporters should any questions or concerns arise regarding any application for any destination, including Israel. If, after engagement, there are any outstanding concerns that the goods being exported will not be used for the stated end use or by the specified end user, as detailed in the application, or if the exporter does not provide enough information on the intended end use for my officials to make an informed decision, the application for a licence is denied.”
“These controls are designed to manage risk, uphold international peace and security and ensure Ireland’s compliance with its international obligations. To date in 2025, a total of nine individual dual-use licences have been issued in respect of end users in Israel. Four were issued in quarter 1 with a maximum value of €797,000. In quarter 2, three were issued with a maximum value of €93,000. To date in quarter 3, two licences have been issued with a maximum value of €172,000. There has been one refusal to date in 2025 in respect of an end user in Israel, which was refused in quarter 1. The bulk of dual-use exports from Ireland, including those to Israel, are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software - networking, data storage and cybersecurity.”
“I wish Deputy Connolly well in her campaign in the weeks ahead. She is a brave lady. As the national competent authority for export controls, my responsibilities centre around the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. These controls are administered by the Department in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a European Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items. The primary purpose of export controls is not to block trade or exports but to enable the free movement of legitimate goods while ensuring that certain sensitive categories are subject to appropriate regulation.”
“As I said, the Department has encouraged the Irish industry to co-operate fully with the Chinese investigations, and the Commission will support its efforts to defend EU farmers and exporters on the matter. I am cognisant of the fact that the Minister, Deputy Burke, has done a huge amount in terms of particular sectors being able to take shocks like that, having that resilience in place. That is what the action plan on competitiveness and market diversification is all about. As a Government, we are mindful and cognisant of that, looking to other markets and trying to ensure that we future-proof not just our pig sector but all agrifood sectors that face tariffs, potentially. I would like us to await the outcome of that investigation, which is due to be published on 16 December.”
“As a global and open trading economy deeply connected into international supply chains, the action plan also serves to mitigate the current risks and bolster our economic resilience. Of the grants and schemes that are available, I want to talk about two in particular. The market research grant provides up to €35,000 to help companies assess the impact of tariffs, gain market insights and develop mitigation strategies even in markets where they already operate. The second piece is the new markets validation grant, offering up to €150,000 to support the development of market entry strategies into new markets and new products.”
“As the Deputy knows, the Minister, Deputy Burke, launched the Government's Action Plan on Market Diversification recently. It contains important actions aimed at supporting export-orientated sectors, including the agrifood sector. This focus on market diversification for the sector also aligns with the objectives of the Food Vision 2030 strategy, which is led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The action plan sets out a path to support Ireland's businesses large and small and to adapt to the global trading environment by striking out into new and diverse markets, deepening their engagement in existing markets and expanding where possible and where opportunities exist.”
“In addition, my Department, together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, co-fund the capital investment scheme for the marketing and processing of agricultural products, which is implemented by Enterprise Ireland. This scheme is targeted at businesses in the meat and dairy sectors to support them to expand and diversify and to increase sales of higher value-added products in the global marketplace. Thirty-four projects have been supported, with total public and private investment exceeding €420 million. This investment helps future-proof the sector, sustain jobs and enhance export potential.”
“The Department has encouraged the Irish industry to co-operate fully with the Chinese investigations. The Commission will be supported in its efforts to defend EU farmers and exporters on this matter. My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, provides a range of funds and grants to agrifood businesses, including pig processors, to support export growth and capability development in the sector. Supports are available for capital investment, research and development, digitalisation, training, and sustainability initiatives. Bord Bia also runs promotional campaigns which aim to boost domestic and export demand.”
“I thank Deputy Moynihan for his very important question. In June, the Government of China initiated an anti-dumping investigation on imports of pork and beef products from the European Union, and it has now announced provisional duties on imports of pork from the EU. The European Commission is in the process of assessing this announcement and will consider measures to protect EU industry and economic interests ahead of the deadline for the final determination of the Chinese investigation on 16 December. I understand that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is aware of the preliminary findings of China's investigation and that the Department is confident that Ireland's exports of pork and pork by-products to China are fully compliant with World Trade Organization rules.”
“I take the point that a balance has to be struck if we are to create the proper regional development that we are all concerned about. A part of that is for IDA Ireland to have a greater spread across the regions. I take the Deputy’s points, which are very valid, and I will raise them with IDA Ireland.”
“The goal in the coming years is to build on the region's strengths and competencies to win that investment. I take the Deputy’s point that you have to have the facilities - sometimes you have to build it and they will come. Very often, the metric that gets people to come is if they see nice facilities and all the wraparound things, such as infrastructure, housing, footfall or whatever. I take the Deputy’s point. As somebody from Cavan-Monaghan, I know that we do not get many visits either, so I feel his pain. From my dealings with IDA Ireland so far, I know that sometimes it cannot dictate where companies go because their representatives come with particular requirements or a vision in their heads as to where they want to go.”
“The availability of quality business parks and strategic sites is a critical component of the regional value proposition and winning investments in the regions. It is crucial that the midlands region has a competitive and sustainable offering to enable the attraction and retention of jobs and investment in the area. I have a list with me of the companies that have visited County Offaly. As I said, if the Deputy wants me to facilitate a meeting in the future, I am happy to do so.”
“I understand the passion and frustration of Deputy McCormack. While he gives us the figures regarding what is going to Westmeath and Offaly, there can be many reasons for that, although I am not defending it in any way. If the Deputy would like me to facilitate a meeting between him and IDA Ireland regarding the visits to County Offaly to see if there is more we can do to bolster those visits, I would be more than happy to try to facilitate him. A core objective of IDA Ireland is to enable, influence and deliver a competitive property offering that supports the winning of FDI and the growth and expansion of indigenous clients within Enterprise Ireland's portfolio and promotes national economic investment.”
“In addition, site visits may not necessarily be a true measure of the overall level of FDI activity in a region or county. The goal for the coming years is to build on the region's strengths and competencies to win investment, with a particular focus on high-value manufacturing, services and research and innovation opportunities across established clusters.”
“There are 1,420 people currently employed in Offaly across 11 IDA Ireland-supported companies. Figures show that employment among IDA Ireland clients increased by 26% in the region over the past five years. The midlands has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across life sciences, technology, global business and financial services and engineering and industrial technologies. IDA Ireland will continue to position the midlands as a competitive and attractive destination for global investors. In relation to site visits, I am advised that to the end of quarter 2 of this year, there were two visits to County Offaly, five in 2024 and three in 2023. I should state, however, that these figures represent individual visits and are not necessarily indicative of the number of companies that have visited.”
“I thank the Deputy for his important question. As somebody from a rural constituency, I am aware of how incredibly important IDA Ireland site visits are. I know the Deputy feels very strongly about those engagements as important opportunities for his county and the midlands. IDA Ireland remains committed to regional development as one of four key strategic objectives of its strategy for the period 2025 to 2029, Adapt Intelligently. The aim of this ambitious strategy is to secure 550 of the 1,000 investments targeted over the lifetime of the strategy to the regions, including 40 in the midlands. Over half of the 973 investments won under IDA Ireland's strategy for the period 2021 to 2024 went to regional locations. Some 31 of these were in the midlands region, exceeding the strategy target of 25.”
“I agree wholeheartedly with what the Deputy said in terms of digitalisation, and that is not to take away from Deputy Conway-Walsh's point that there are businesses which will struggle with that. That is why the Department launched the digital charter, which is a call to action for bigger companies that are digitally proficient to buddy up with smaller businesses across the country to help them get on the digitalisation train. AI will be transformative and will bring us to a new level. I am looking forward over the coming weeks and months to us planning the AI summit, which will be part of Ireland's EU Presidency. In all of that, we need huge co-operation from the bigger companies to assist smaller companies where possible. They are willing to work with the Department and have been doing so up to this point.”
“The overarching objective of the action plan to which I referred is to maintain and improve Ireland's position as a competitive and productive economy capable of withstanding shocks, building on our strengths and developing the indigenous enterprise base while continuing to attract investment and talent from abroad. The action plan contains 85 actions for enhancing Ireland's competitive and productivity performance, with 26 of these identified as priority actions. I hope that provides some detail for the Deputy.”
“The red-tape challenge will be introduced across Government to significantly reduce regulation for SMEs, because we have to get the balance right. I am glad the Deputy stated that regulation is the third most important issue. Companies and CEOs recognise the importance of regulation without killing businesses with additional burdens. The red-tape challenge will include a review by each Department to identify regulations to be removed or reduced without impacting on policy objectives, and a public consultation to identify areas of high burden or where burden reduction could be launched is a focus of the Government.”
“The foregoing complements work ongoing at EU level, where there is a particular focus on simplification. This is what this all boils down to - simplification. I know the Minister has been a huge champion of the simpler, faster and lighter approach in terms of bureaucracy for small businesses.”
“My Department has also established a small business unit which has been tasked with ensuring that the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus and are recognised and acknowledged across Government. In terms of legislative change, the Companies Act 2014 was updated through the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024, which introduced a range of practical reforms consistent with ensuring that Ireland's regulatory framework provides flexibility and is fit for modern business operating in an increasingly digital and virtual environment. Work is ongoing to modernise and reform a range of other legislation, including the co-operative societies Bill and legislation relating to limited partnerships and business names.”
“Measures under this theme include introducing a red tape challenge across Government to reduce regulation for SMEs, undertaking a public consultation to identify areas of high burden and all Government Departments applying the SME test to all measures, and in particular to policy initiatives where it is proposed to increase costs on small business. In terms of my Department, there is an ongoing commitment to ensuring the regulatory environment is proportionate and fit for purpose. This includes the conduct of regulatory impact analysis and the systematic application of the SME test, which has been designed to invite consideration of less stringent compliance requirements for smaller companies, where appropriate and proportionate.”
“I thank the Deputy for his really important question. This is something we all hear about regularly in our constituency offices. The action plan on competitiveness and productivity - a commitment in the programme for Government - recently published by the Minister, Deputy Burke, is a whole-of-government strategic response to the challenges that Ireland is facing. A key focus of the action plan is improving Ireland’s regulatory environment under the theme "Regulating for Growth and Controlling Costs".”
“Applications for dual-use licences in respect of exports to any country are assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with the assessment criteria set out in the regulation and the eight criteria set out in the European Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment. In addition, my officials seek real-time geopolitical observations from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of any applications. These views inform the final decision to grant or deny a licence. The assessment process is rigorous. My officials carry out a series of checks to ensure, insofar as they can, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end user for the stated end purpose and will not be used or diverted for any other purpose.”
“The bulk of dual-use producers from Ireland are, as I have said, mainstream businesses producing ICT products and so on. Their applications are assessed individually. The Department of Defence currently only facilitates Irish SMEs during their initial interaction with initiatives such as the European Defence Fund. As I said at the outset, I take these risks incredibly seriously. I am keeping a very close eye on this and I am working collaboratively with the Minister for Defence on the issue.”
“I thank the Deputy for her question. I know she has raised this matter on a number of occasions before. I too take this risk incredibly seriously. I will speak to officials in the Department in detail in this regard. The Department of Defence currently only facilitates Irish SMEs during their initial interaction with initiatives such as the European Defence Fund. This interaction is primarily administrative in nature, assisting entities to navigate the bureaucratic requirements associated with the collaborative EU programmes. My officials will continue to engage with current and potential exporters regarding their responsibilities under export control including via a webinar being hosted this morning to raise awareness among relevant stakeholders of their responsibilities under export control legislation.”
“Under the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, the Department of Defence has committed to continuing to progress the interests of Irish SMEs to facilitate growth and ensure deeper engagement in the commercial dual-use area, both nationally and at EU level. I understand from my colleague, an Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, that while his Department will look to develop a more structured approach to enhance engagement with Irish SMEs in the area of dual use, the methodology around this support is being developed.”
“They are categorised as dual-use items as a consequence of fact that they incorporate strong encryption for ICT security purposes. All export licence applications are considered by departmental officials in accordance with criteria set out in the relevant dual-use and military EU and national regulations, and with Ireland’s international obligations and responsibilities as a member of non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements. Each application is assessed individually, considering the nature of the items, the destination country, the identity of the end-user and the intended end use. The Department also consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on each application.”
“I thank Deputy Gibney for her question. The Department is the national competent authority with responsibility for the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. The primary focus of export controls is not to block trade or exports but to enable the free movement of legitimate goods while ensuring that certain sensitive categories are subject to appropriate regulation. These controls are designed to manage risk, uphold international peace and security, and ensure Ireland's compliance with its international obligations. The bulk of dual-use exports from Ireland are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software, including networking, data storage and cybersecurity.”
“Deputy Ardagh has made the case well for Scoil Eoin. It is important that we, as public representatives, who have the opportunity to listen to the real-life stories of parents and teachers, such as in Scoil Eoin relay that to Department officials as well as the Deputy's sense that to make any change will dismantle something that works, that is good and that is providing the care and the educational atmosphere needed for these children to thrive, to be welcomed and, as she said, to be included. We all have a responsibility and the Deputy is taking that responsibility seriously. I will relay that to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and ask that further negotiations, or at least further talks, be held with Scoil Eoin and that the experience of the teachers and the parents is number one in terms of any changes that may be pre-empted.”
“Through the accelerated provision of new special classes in recent years some of these children and young people should now have the option of attending a local post-primary school with a special class. The new senior cycle level 1 and level 2 programmes offers a new curriculum pathway for students with additional and special educational needs at post-primary level also. The Department has asked post-primary schools to prepare and plan to provide at least four special classes each. The Deputy alluded to that in her opening statement - the decreased number of classes in secondary schools. I take on board everything the Deputy said today. I will relay her concern for this school and that it should not be, in any way, interfered with because the model works.”
“The NCSE reports that more than half of mild general learning disability special schools have diversified to allow children with more complex needs in their communities who require a special school setting to enrol in their local special schools. Many schools have worked with us to broaden their designations and this Department will continue to support schools in this endeavour so that more special schools can better support children with complex needs in their local communities. It is noted that many of the children enrolled in MGLD special schools do so around the transition point from primary to post-primary school. Historically, these children and young people may not have had a local post-primary special class available to them.”
“It is important to note that it is not the intention to exclude children who require a special school place from accessing certain special school settings, but rather to allow children with complex additional educational needs apply for their local special schools. Currently, there are instances of children with complex needs not being able to apply for admission to their local special schools simply because they do not meet the narrow designation of those schools. In this regard, and along with providing additional special school capacity, the Department and the NCSE consider that it is necessary to look at the profile of our existing special schools. This is not a new departure.”
“I thank the Deputy for her emotional presentation. I know she is acutely aware of the requirements that should be in place. She has the experience of a school that is doing the job really well. As she asked, why fix something that is not broken? Her experience of this school has obviously been a positive one. The Government is committed to the provision of additional special school places for children with more complex educational needs. More than 300 new special school places have been and will be provided for in the coming 2025-2026 school year. Five new special schools are being established in addition to the 11 new special schools that opened over the past few years. Special school capacity has also been expanded across a number of existing special schools.”
“They disrupt complex and highly integrated supply chains that benefit businesses, workers and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. We will continue to pursue dialogue, to make the case to remove these tariffs and to assert our interests through the EU and directly with the United States. The Deputy has asked specific questions. I will try to get the information and revert with that. On market diversification, State bodies like the IDA and Enterprise Ireland are doing incredible work at the trade forum. Team Ireland is active on the ground in the United States. The diplomatic effort that is being made is not going unnoticed either.”
“The Tánaiste and other Ministers have been vocal and constructive voices at the table to ensure the EU's approach remains measured and appropriate. The Government's constant and consistent position has been, and remains, that we need substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States. This is also the position of the EU. Our objective remains to reach agreement on a mutually beneficial deal that works for both sides. A negotiated outcome is the best way forward and we are in close, ongoing contact with our EU counterparts at political and official levels as we approach the 1 August deadline. In the remaining time, the Government will continue to advocate for a deal that works for Ireland, Europe and the US. However, let me be absolutely clear that tariffs are economically damaging for all sides.”
“The Commission has shared a revised list for a possible second set of countermeasures. No formal proposal has been presented to member states for consideration at this point. Officials are examining the list against our known sensitivities. Tariffs imposed by either side will cause pain. However, it is unfortunately already the case that Irish and EU exports to the US have faced additional tariffs since April. Let us remember that, to date, the EU has not imposed any tariffs on US goods and we do not want to, but we must be prepared to act if negotiations are unsuccessful. This is the sensible and measured approach.”
“The Government will continue to seek to protect our indigenous Irish businesses and our multinational companies from tariffs. As the Deputy also said in his opening gambit, tariffs are not just harmful to Irish companies. They are hugely harmful to the American economy as well. The Tánaiste is in ongoing communication with Commissioner Šefčovič and this will continue as we approach the deadline of 1 August. At the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) on Monday, the Commissioner outlined what had been the EU’s strategy since the outset of this dispute, which was to continue negotiations while, at the same time, preparing rebalancing measures, should they be required. The Irish Government and other member states strongly support this approach. EU unity is our greatest strength in these negotiations.”
“The letter from President Trump to President von der Leyen was deeply regrettable. A 30% tariff will have a significant effect on the Irish and wider European economies. It could be detrimental. However, the EU continues to negotiate with the US in good faith. The Deputy asked in his opening statement for cool heads. I think nothing else could be said of everybody around the European Union, given their cool, calm and reasonable approach against difficult headwinds. Notwithstanding the letter, the fact remains that the deadline for talks is 1 August. The EU is at the negotiating table and will remain there. Negotiations are at an advanced stage. Now is the time to redouble our efforts and seek to achieve positive results in the time available.”
“We cannot change the geography but we can try to ensure that companies and businesses across this island are built with the resilience they need to cope with whatever we may face. That is certainly happening within the Government and with that collaboration piece I spoke about on the trade forum established by the Tánaiste. It is clear that one of the most immediate and serious challenges facing European policymakers today is the fundamental upheaval in the international trading system. The events of recent months have upended the trading order as we knew it, driven by a fundamental shift in how the world's largest economy has decided to conduct its trade policy, which is something we have no control over. Last weekend’s developments took place in that context.”
“I thank the Deputy for his presentation. I concur, particularly with his opening piece on the vulnerabilities within Ireland. I disagree with him in the sense that he talked about the vulnerability. I sit on the trade forum established by the Tánaiste since the trade war, or the utterance of trade wars, began. All the Government agencies and State bodies, such as Fáilte Ireland and the IDA, as well as the IFA are around the table, working collaboratively in ensuring we are best prepared for whatever the future may hold. The vulnerability, in my humble opinion, is created by our geography more than anything else. We provide a gateway into Europe for all American companies in this land.”
“Once a ceasefire and two states are achieved, it will be a question of how to put the resources into rebuilding Palestine and finding a way for those young people to recover and rebuild their lives. It will not be easy but I think that Ireland and all of the representatives across this House, both in government and opposition, care deeply about this issue and will work might and main to make that happen.”