Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair and the witnesses. I am conscious that Ms Gibney was before the Seanad Special Committee on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU on Monday. It has been a busy week for her before the Oireachtas committees. I agree with Deputy Munster’s point about some of the disability organisations.

I will ask about two specific issues. The first, which has been raised with us by a number of organisations, is the question of whether to have an individual complaints mechanism. Questions arise with regard to human rights and equality, particularly in respect of broadcasters and tech giants. Some of the actions of these organisations are allegedly in breach of some of the protections in the proposed Bill. How would IHREC see that operating? What mechanism would it like to see in place with the new media commission?

My second question relates to algorithmic decision-making. I take a particularly strong position on this issue. We need to have a code that will ensure that any organisation, be it a State organisation or private business, that uses algorithms to make decisions will be audited and that there are guards against bias. It is particularly crucial against the nine equality headings that we have that in place. This is going to be a big issue. I would like to hear the witnesses’ views on how they would see that operating. It is certainly our intention that there will be a code. I want a guarantee that any organisation that uses an algorithm to make a decision will be audited. I would be grateful to hear the witnesses’ views.