Rose Conway-Walsh
Mayo · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“The very open nature of the Irish economy and over-reliance on FDI and a small number of large US firms exposes an economic vulnerability that covers an underlying deficit of €13 billion. With an all-island approach, we can tackle that properly.”
“An all-island development agency is critical to this prosperity. Competing for investment from multinational companies, based on five interlinked pillars of growth, transformational regions, sustainability and impact as promoted by the IDA is necessary to compete on a global stage.”
“I would need much longer than three minutes to discuss the fiscal implications of a united Ireland, such is the depth and breadth of the work already done. I commend all of those who have done it. Leaving all politics aside, the economic benefits of reunification present unprecedented opportunities for sustainable growth.”
“This morning, workers at Aer Lingus woke up to the devastating news that up to 500 jobs will be cut at the airline, impacting both staff at head office and flight crews. By all measures, Aer Lingus is a profitable company, reporting operating profits of €282 million in 2025. Its parent company, IAG, has operating profits of €5 billion.”
“We need to encourage student mobility across the island. I ask the shared island unit to intervene to provide funding for students from here going to Queen's University and Ulster University. Regarding the data, the NI Executive should work with the ONS, HMRC and the NISRA to improve the data on tax receipts in the North.”
“Will the Government meet representatives of the unions, the Irish Air Line Pilots Association, IALPA, Fórsa and other unions, to ensure that impacted workers receive full and fair redundancy packages and that we have full transparency, while also committing to wider statutory redundancy reforms?”
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“We need to encourage student mobility across the island. I ask the shared island unit to intervene to provide funding for students from here going to Queen's University and Ulster University. Regarding the data, the NI Executive should work with the ONS, HMRC and the NISRA to improve the data on tax receipts in the North. This would help to provide more reliable estimates and forecasting. It is about us having the data to be able to do the accurate forecasting we need to do.”
“An all-island development agency is critical to this prosperity. Competing for investment from multinational companies, based on five interlinked pillars of growth, transformational regions, sustainability and impact as promoted by the IDA is necessary to compete on a global stage. One of the key benefits of reunification would be the access to human capital across the island, with both jurisdictions combined. We spoke about this with IBEC this morning. I commend IBEC and the ESRI on the work they have done on the macroeconomic model. That is hugely important and can solve that issue. I ask the Tánaiste to focus in the interim on what needs to be done. I ask the Government, through the shared-island unit, to provide funding for student places for students from the jurisdiction here. I refer to the legislation.”
“The very open nature of the Irish economy and over-reliance on FDI and a small number of large US firms exposes an economic vulnerability that covers an underlying deficit of €13 billion. With an all-island approach, we can tackle that properly. This vulnerability should be tackled by taking an all-island approach to investing in different levels of education and mitigating the socioeconomic barriers to education. A culture of lifelong learning must be encouraged by removing financial barriers and investing in childcare and public services across the island. Fulfilling investment commitments, as outlined in the national development plan and ensuring timely delivery of infrastructure such as all-island transport, telecommunications, utilities, housing and energy, are fundamental to the whole island’s prosperity in the future.”
“I would need much longer than three minutes to discuss the fiscal implications of a united Ireland, such is the depth and breadth of the work already done. I commend all of those who have done it. Leaving all politics aside, the economic benefits of reunification present unprecedented opportunities for sustainable growth. As we prepare for the constitutional future of this island, one of the key priorities must be creating an all-island competitive and conducive environment for foreign direct investment and indigenous businesses. The future prosperity of Ireland is dependent on Government policies which address and invest in the key drivers of FDI; human capital, infrastructure, political stability, tax certainty, digitisation and decarbonisation.”
“I thank Deputy Farrell for allowing me some of her time. I think Michael Collins would be pleased with the Tánaiste today. I thank him for allowing us Government time to discuss such an important issue. I also acknowledge the work Deputy Currie has consistently done in this space.”
“Will the Government meet representatives of the unions, the Irish Air Line Pilots Association, IALPA, Fórsa and other unions, to ensure that impacted workers receive full and fair redundancy packages and that we have full transparency, while also committing to wider statutory redundancy reforms? We need the number of jobs lost to be minimised. We need urgent engagement by the Government.”
“This morning, workers at Aer Lingus woke up to the devastating news that up to 500 jobs will be cut at the airline, impacting both staff at head office and flight crews. By all measures, Aer Lingus is a profitable company, reporting operating profits of €282 million in 2025. Its parent company, IAG, has operating profits of €5 billion. Yet, 500 families in north Dublin, Cork, Shannon and across the country now face the possibility of losing their livelihoods. We urgently need firm guarantees that workers' rights will be protected. What engagement has the Minister for enterprise had with Aer Lingus to minimise the number of jobs that are going to be lost?”
“It is hugely disrespectful to the communities I mentioned and other communities across Mayo and across the western seaboard.”
“Have we learned nothing from the Corrib gas project, the lack of consultation there and how that started off? I ask the Minister of State to ask the Minister to publish the guidelines as quickly as possible. I want to see offshore wind being developed along the west coast as well. We cannot just keep accepting excuse after excuse. There is huge wealth to be gained for the community along the western seaboard if this is done properly. We are supposed to be in the Atlantic economic corridor. That has to mean more than just a phrase. The opportunities there for offshore wind energy generation would alleviate all of this, help us to meet our targets and do what we need to do in the first place. It is one of the Government's greatest failures not to have these guidelines in place and to leave this vacuum.”
“I thank the Minister of State. That response makes more promises but there is nothing for the here and now and what people are experiencing right now. The damage caused by the Government's regulatory vacuum is leading to a deteriorating situation in local areas. That is a fact. It is also a risk to Ireland's energy security. Meanwhile, households live in fear of their ever-increasing, and already huge, electricity bills. We want to do renewable energy in a very different way. Rather than excessive commodification of energy for profit, we would treat it as a public good and translate that into national wealth, increased community ownership, proper consultation and fair and democratic decision-making. There is a right way to do all of this. I fear that the vacuum left by the Government is doing damage to these rural areas.”
“Asking somebody to come along to a hall at a particular time, and telling them they can bring three people with them, is wrong and disrespectful to communities. There is a right way of doing this, which I will tell the Minister of State about in my next contribution.”
“There are depopulated remote areas that lend themselves to the establishment of wind energy projects. The families living close to massive wind turbines struggle, and too often fail, to get planning permission, even to build modest homes for their sons and daughters to return. Yet, they are supposed to accept the development of these wind farms using guidelines that are 20 years old and not fit for purpose. Where are the plans to develop offshore wind? We have a huge expanse along the west coast but there is nothing for the west coast in the proposed development of offshore wind energy. I am concerned because these communities are growing angrier and angrier, and they feel disrespected because there is no proper consultation.”
“As the Minister of State knows, Erris's economy is heavily dependent on tourism, relying on unspoiled landscapes along the Wild Atlantic Way. According to the Erris Chamber of Commerce, the erection of 180 m high turbines will cause significant visual blight, undermine the region's tourism appeal and threaten local businesses and livelihoods. The proposed development in Mayo Abbey again undermines an area of high cultural amenity. The proposed site is also prone to flooding. Why develop a wind farm in an area that is prone to flooding? I am giving these areas as examples, not because I am against the development of renewable energy but because it has to be done in the right way and in the right place. It is being done in the wrong way and in areas too close to houses and that have all the issues I mentioned.”
“In the absence of such guidelines, however, it is like a free-for-all. These communities deserve respect and proper, meaningful consultation. The saturation of Mayo with onshore wind farms without any guidelines is a growing concern. The Tirawley wind farm, at Lacken along the Céide coast, disregards 6,000 years of cultural heritage, never mind the effects on the ecology and biodiversity in a special area of conservation. We recently launched a hugely ambitious tourism plan. The proposal for Geesala, Mount Jubilee and Srah communities, alongside the proposal in Rinmore, will disrupt an area with some of Ireland's rarest species. The proposed site sits on healthy, functioning blanket bog, which is a priority EU habitat and a major natural carbon sink. The project involves draining substantial peatland areas.”
“I requested that this issue of renewable energy be discussed tonight because I am dumbfounded that we are now finishing another year without having the national guidelines for wind turbines. There are no national guidelines. I just cannot believe that we are in the last week of this session and we still do not have them. It is absolutely outrageous that we are developing onshore wind energy with planning guidelines that are 20 years old. It is crazy. How are we supposed to be taken seriously in respect of climate change and what we need to do in that area? Communities surrounding proposed wind turbine developments in County Mayo deserve better. These communities are crying out for national guidelines that will force the developers of these wind energy facilities to adhere to guidelines.”
“This might seem very minor, but I raise the lack of a trolley service on the train to Mayo. The Minister will have seen today that there was a woman, six months pregnant, in 30° heat on a three and three quarter hour journey. It is totally wrong that we cannot even get a trolley on that train.”
“On the planning guidelines, the Minister needs to engage in proper consultation with groups across the country and counties in rural Ireland. I do not believe there has been enough consultation. The Minister knows what we need in Mayo, such as the non-sterilisation of land along the N59, people being able to build on their own sites, consistency in planning. All of those issues need to be addressed. When will people see the impact of that and be able to build homes or live in their own communities? That is an important message. On transport, the lack of connectivity between the services is just crazy. An awful lot more can be done without even further investment in public transport, even though we always need public investment. The train coming into the station and the bus having left ten minutes beforehand is an issue.”
“I do not deny those things that the Minister has read out. The problem with it is that there is not a consistent approach. While there are many really good projects that the Minister and I have both visited, and this is not us saying it as a party, let us consider the GAA, for instance. It is a minor miracle that Mayo is in the all-Ireland football final with so many of our young people being in Australia. I know the Minister wants to join me in wishing Mayo the very best of luck on Sunday week. Hopefully, after 75 years, we will have some good news, although it will be fairly difficult to get any focus from my Belmullet constituency office with Brenda O'Donoghue, Ryan's mum, concentrating on the football for the next two weeks. By the way, she will be here tomorrow, so the Minister can congratulate her. That is to one side.”
“Rural depopulation is one of the greatest challenges facing Mayo, with too many young people leaving because they cannot see a future at home. One of the main reasons they are leaving is they cannot afford a place to live. As a Mayo TD and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, I ask the Minister to provide an update on the plans and efforts the Minister is making to reverse rural depopulation across the county.”
“I think the Minister of State recognises that, but the responsibility comes down to her at this particular time. Most artists are not global superstars earning millions; they are hardworking professionals trying to make a living in a sector that is already marked by low pay, precarious work and poor working conditions. This is important.”
“I have acknowledged the enormous opportunities AI presents for businesses, for public services and individuals, but that innovation cannot come at the expense of Irish artists. It cannot come at the cost of constitutional property rights of all our artists. Beyond the individual damage that is being done here, there is a much wider area that we have to prioritise and preserve. Until recently, behind every song, book, painting and performance was a talented artist whose work was the product of real talent, skill, expertise and years of dedication. The fact is that Irish artists are being ripped off. They are being ripped off and the ball is in the Minister of State's court. She has the authority and the responsibility to stop that happening. Mass theft is happening in plain sight.”
“I acknowledge the huge work that my colleague Deputy Ó Snodaigh puts into the arts time and again. The fact that this is our last item of Private Members' business before we break up for the summer shows the real importance of what we are trying to do here. I welcome some of the things in Minister of State's speech, particularly her comments on Ireland co-ordinating the EU's position at the World Intellectual Property Organization's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights, as well as the conference on copyright and human creativity in an AI era, organised by rights holder organisations. That is important. It is also important that the Minister of State keeps the commitments that she has made in this House.”
“It put across a powerful, peaceful message to all of those participating in the EU Presidency here that Ireland stands with Palestine, in particular, in relation to what needs to be done regarding the EU-Israel Association Agreement.”
“We await the findings of the investigation from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, but the Government must ensure there is full transparency and very decisive action, where required. For as long as this is not dealt with, it will cast a shadow over Ireland's EU Presidency. This Presidency must reflect Ireland's values of the rule of law, human rights and equality. Over the weekend in Ballina, I attended the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council hosted by the Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary. When I was there, I also met and joined the protestors from the Mayo branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who were peacefully demonstrating in solidarity with the people of Palestine. In particular, I commend those who organised the protest and also note that Medea Benjamin was at it.”
“As we take over the EU Presidency, we have an opportunity to demonstrate the kind of leadership it should embody. The agenda rightly includes competitiveness, security and Europe's economic future. However, competitiveness cannot simply mean protecting profits and expanding markets. It must also mean protecting workers, strengthening strategic sectors and ensuring that European businesses operate to the highest ethical standards. This means legal entitlement to collective bargaining. That is why the continued exports from Aughinish Alumina to Russia remain so deeply concerning. At a time when Europe is united in imposing sanctions in response to Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, Ireland cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the commercial links that undermine that collective effort.”
“I am disappointed the Taoiseach does not share the vision for a new and united Ireland that I and the majority of Members of this House have, indeed, the vision that the Taoiseach's own grassroots members have across this State. However, the Taoiseach cannot hold back the tide forever. Citizens the length and breadth of this island, as well as the Irish diaspora of the many young people who are desperate to come home to a new and united Ireland, will not be deterred from preparing for constitutional change. The work continues. Leanann an obair ar aghaidh.”
“The purpose of this Bill is not to predetermine any constitutional outcome but to ensure robust planning is undertaken so citizens, businesses and investors are fully informed of the opportunities, costs and practical implications associated with constitutional change. Our legislation would establish a framework for evidence-based planning, informed by independent expertise and engagement with business organisations, civic society, trade unions and communities across this island. Regardless of the constitutional preference, it is in everybody's interest that any future transition is properly addressed, costed and planned for in a manner that protects stability, safeguards investment and maximises economic opportunity.”
“The majority of Members of this House want to do the preparation for Irish unity. They recognise we have a distinctive opportunity to create a new and united Ireland; to create an island where nobody is left behind; to create an architecture underpinned by our values as an Irish nation; and to create a national health service where optimum outcomes can be achieved by the world-class medical experts we have on this island and where timely access to healthcare is determined by need and not on ability to pay. They recognise the economic benefits of a new and united Ireland, an island where indigenous businesses thrive and grow alongside foreign direct investment, where we have energy security by maximising our offshore wind energy opportunities, and where companies have incentives to decarbonise.”
“By expanding the range of Government and financial services available through post offices, ensuring fair remuneration for postmasters and postmistresses and investing in the long-term sustainability of the network, we can secure the future. It is reported that the CEO of An Post will earn a base salary of €285,000 in his first year. That can be compared with what is paid to postmasters and postmistresses around the country. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for the service they have given to their communities and this country over the years.”
“As the Minister of State said in his opening statement, the strength of the post office brand is that it reaches every part of the country. Unfortunately, it no longer does because we continue to see the network diminish, with more than 250 post office closures over the past decade. Last month's closure of Geesala post office in Erris is the most recent example. The people of Geesala must now travel 10 km to Bangor Erris or almost 20 km to Béal an Mhuirthead to access services that were once available in the heart of their community. Those distances represent a real barrier to essential services. We clearly need a renewed commitment from the Government to invest in our post office network. Post offices should be recognised as essential public infrastructure and funded accordingly.”
“I welcome this legislation, which gives effect to the €15 million that was announced earlier in January. I commend all the post offices and thank the post office owners who communicated with me at the time, including those I met in trying to get this vital extra funding. We all know that post offices are far more than just places to send letters and collect parcels. They provide essential public services at the very heart of our communities, where people go to pay their bills and access pensions, social welfare payments, banking services and a whole lot more. For many people, particularly the elderly, those living alone with disabilities and those without reliable transport, the local post office is a lifeline for them.”
“This Presidency has also shone a spotlight on Ireland's own preparedness in an increasingly uncertain world. While Ireland remains militarily neutral, neutrality cannot mean vulnerability and, for decades, the Minister will know that the Defence Forces have been neglected. Despite years of warnings and ample time to prepare, we still lack basic capability to protect our own skies and seas against modern threats and we are, unfortunately, relying on others to fill the gaps.”
“One of the Presidency’s central priorities must be to restore Europe’s competitiveness. European businesses and innovators continue to face unnecessary red tape, duplication and bureaucracy. In that context, simplification must not mean deregulation. The Minister said that earlier, but it must be meant. We do not want deregulation. We are paying a price for deregulation in the form of the almost €9 billion that it will cost to resolve the problems caused by defective concrete blocks. Those problems arose as a result of light-touch regulation. We need a Europe that supports enterprise, encourages innovation and allows businesses to compete globally, but we must protect workers' rights, consumer rights, environmental rights and human rights.”
“Ireland's EU Presidency is a significant opportunity for the country that must not be missed, but it has to be for the whole island. I was really glad to see our First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, at today's event, because we cannot talk about any of the issues we are going to talk about during the Presidency without taking an all-island approach. We have a chance to demonstrate leadership, advance Ireland’s interests, address the democratic deficit within the EU and to help shape Europe’s future at a very pivotal moment. While we must make the most of this opportunity, we must recognise that it comes with huge responsibility. The Presidency carries a substantial cost to the taxpayer, and the Government must ensure that every euro spent delivers lasting value for Ireland and for Europe.”
“Amendments Nos. 4, 8 and 9 concern small and medium-sized businesses. They aim to expand the statutory functions of the AI office so that it not only regulates AI but also provides guidance, training and technical assistance support for small businesses, particularly SMEs, to comply with the AI Act and to adopt AI responsibly. The AI office should be more than just an enforcement body. It should offer an education and support function to help businesses to understand what is expected of them. These amendments attempt to rebalance the legislation by placing compliance support alongside enforcement. Most businesses that this legislation will impact will be SMEs. They will need clear guidance and accessible training if they are to comply confidently with the new regulatory framework.”
“If those voices are not represented on the board I cannot see how there can be independence and expertise there in terms of the oversight and regulation we need.”
“The independence of the AI office is critical to all of this and to everything that comes after it. I note that while the Minister of State said it is independent, there are things in the legislation that prompt me to question that independence, especially in relation to the ministerial powers. She has a lot to do to convince us of the independence of the office. I submitted amendment No. 16 because I believe the expertise and knowledge of the new members that will comprise the board must reflect the sections of society for which they will be regulating. That is why I have explicitly included the areas of AI, human rights, equality and law, trade unions and workers' rights, consumer protection and civil society engagement. Across the proposed seven members of the new board these are areas that should be represented.”
“I too wish to state, as I said to the Minister, how concerned I am about the short space of time we have had to really scrutinise something as important as this. The time is just too short for amendments with all the other legislation at this time of year that is piled on together. I take from the Minister of State’s opening contribution that she will be taking on board the enterprise committee’s pre-legislative scrutiny report and that is a positive thing. I agree with Deputy that we have a dedicated AI committee and it must have a role in making this the best possible legislation we can. There is the difficulty there between splitting the areas of authority and responsibility between those committees. Under any circumstances we would have needed extra time to be able to deal with this Bill in the way we needed to.”
“Women who are going in to be helped by a member of An Garda Síochána need to be sure that that Garda member is not already convicted of a crime of domestic violence themselves.”
“I have been trying to find out for some time the number of members of An Garda Síochána who have criminal convictions. I cannot get anywhere with the Minister or the Garda Commissioner. The latest response I got was that this information was not held centrally and would require a disproportionate amount of time and resources to address. Does the Taoiseach think that is acceptable? I think it is absolutely shocking. The public expects gardaí to undergo rigorous vetting. Will the Taoiseach tell me if the law currently provides sufficient powers to dismiss Garda members convicted of criminal offences? If not, will the Government introduce legislation to address this gap? People will be quite shocked to hear that and to hear that the information is not available to us. That is critical information.”
“We need to be conscious of the supports that are necessary for small and medium businesses, including small retailers, in order to be able to avail of the opportunities of AI while also protecting their businesses. I want a front-loading of the supports and services that are available to SMEs.”
“The Government must remain agile and capable of responding quickly to emerging risks and developments. Sinn Féin supports the principle of effective AI regulation. We welcome measures that protect citizens, uphold fundamental rights and ensure accountability, but regulation alone is not enough. The Government must ensure that workers are protected, citizens are informed, enforcement bodies are adequately resourced and innovation proceeds in a way that benefits society as a whole. Artificial intelligence should serve people, strengthen our communities and support our economy, while always remaining subject to democratic oversight, human judgment and public interest. On SMEs, in particular small businesses and the use of AI, we see the use of AI in big tech.”
“Businesses, public bodies and critical infrastructure providers must be equipped to deal with these evolving threats. Therefore, public engagement and education are vitally important. The Government must be proactive in informing citizens about what artificial intelligence is, how it is being used and what risks and opportunities it presents. Public awareness campaigns, online tutorials and our education system all have a role to play in ensuring people can use these technologies safely and competently. Particular attention must be paid to vulnerable groups in society, as I said. The rights of children and the elderly must come first and we must have meaningful engagement with people with disabilities to better understand their experiences with AI technologies. Artificial intelligence is evolving much faster than legislation.”
“Regular monitoring of systems is required to identify and eliminate biases, in particular where AI is used in employment decisions, recruitment processes or the delivery of public services. We must also recognise the growing cybersecurity threats associated with artificial intelligence. AI has already been used by malicious actors to create increasingly sophisticated phishing exercises, deepfake scams and fraudulent communications. It can automate cyberattacks, identify vulnerabilities at scale and facilitate the spread of misinformation. As AI capabilities become more advanced, the potential for criminal exploitation also increases. The State must ensure that cybersecurity considerations are embedded in AI regulation and governance frameworks.”
“AI-generated content and tools should be clearly identified where there is potential for public consumption. Copyright protections must be upheld to protect artists, designers, writers and those working in creative industries from having their original works replicated and exploited without consent. Privacy rights cannot be compromised. AI systems must comply fully with the GDPR and all relevant data protection legislation. Personal information, including sensitive and biometric data, must be processed lawfully, fairly and transparently. Fairness is another key consideration. AI must never reinforce discrimination, inequality or social exclusion. I say that in particular in regard to access to vital public services by elderly people, people with disabilities and vulnerable people in our communities.”
“The new AI office could contribute significantly to this work. The Government has already stated that the Bill does not create substantive administrative obligations beyond those already contained in the EU AI Act. With this Bill we need to be careful not to over-regulate AI and add to the already large administrative burden of SMEs. It is a difference between the administrative burden and regulation that we need. We must also ensure Irish companies can access AI technology to the same extent as international competitors, otherwise, Ireland's competitiveness will be negatively impacted. Regulation must protect citizens while also enabling responsible technological development and economic growth. For Sinn Féin, regulation of AI must be guided by clear principles. Transparency is essential.”
“A recent report by the ERSI and Department of Finance estimated that around 7% of jobs in Ireland could be displaced by AI in the short- to medium-term, the equivalent of almost 200,000 jobs. This should serve as a wake-up call that future displaced workers need meaningful protections and supports to be put in place. The new AI office must promote the development and deployment of AI systems that advance high-quality employment, regional development, social inclusion and the provision of public services. Workers must be supported to adapt to changing technologies, gain new qualifications and transition into emerging sectors. More broadly, I want the Government to develop a comprehensive national strategy to manage the impact of AI on employment and ensure workers are partners in shaping technological change, rather than casualties of it.”
“However, enforcement mechanisms must be matched by adequate resources, transparency and oversight. While much of the debate around artificial intelligence focuses on innovation and competitiveness, we must not lose sight of its impact on workers. Technological advancement should improve people's lives, not undermine their livelihoods. AI should enhance human labour, not replace it. We are already witnessing the consequences of AI-driven restructuring. Recently, 720 workers in Covalen learned their jobs are to be made redundant as advances in artificial intelligence increasingly replace functions previously carried out by people. The Government cannot simply sit back and hope for the best as artificial intelligence reshapes our labour market.”
“However, its effectiveness will depend on whether it has the necessary independence, staffing and financial resources to carry out its functions properly. It will be important that the board members of the new office collectively possess expertise in AI and computer science, human rights and equality law, trade union and workers' rights matters, consumer protection and civil society engagement. There must be no conflict between the State's deployment of AI and its role in promoting innovation and its responsibility to regulate and enforce compliance. The office must have sufficient authority and capacity to support other regulators and fundamental rights bodies. We in Sinn Féin support empowering enforcement bodies to tackle the misuse of artificial intelligence and protect citizens from harmful or unlawful practices.”
“I welcome the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026, which will establish the national structures required to implement and enforce the EU AI Act in Ireland. It will provide the governance, supervision and enforcement framework necessary to ensure Ireland meets its obligation to have a fully operational AI regulatory regime in place by 2 August 2026. This important deadline falls during Ireland's Presidency of the European Union. As a country that has positioned itself as a major digital hub within Europe, it is important that Ireland demonstrates leadership and a clear commitment to online safety, accountability and the responsible use of emerging technologies. The establishment of a dedicated national AI office is indeed welcome.”