Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the representatives of the BAI and the Data Protection Commission, DPC, for their presentations. I will begin with questions to the DPC. I welcome the fact that, in its recommendations, it mentions the new media commission dealing with all forms of online harm and states that these need to be covered. This has the potential to be one of the most powerful regulators in the State. I received assurances from Department officials that there would be codes around algorithmic decision-making and guarding against bias and potential harm in this regard. It was suggested that this would be managed by the media commission. Will biometric authentication and the use of biometrics now fall within the remit of the DPC or that of the media commission? When we are looking at various new forms of artificial intelligence, AI, and how they are going to be rolled out, particularly by some of the tech companies, I would like to know where these matters will fall between the organisations. The BAI may wish to comment on this as well. When we spoke with officials from the Department, they envisaged the BAI being folded into the new media commission. This commission will, however, cover a far broader range of issues. The Department envisaged that the commission would be at least the size of the DPC. As the witnesses probably know, I have argued that there are questions as to whether the DPC is adequately resourced to even deal with its current range of obligations.

What level of experience and staffing do the BAI and DPC anticipate will be required to deal with regulating the media while also addressing many of the online harms about which we have spoken?