Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right. The artificial intelligence, AI, side of things is developing very strongly and by the time we get to this time next year the committee will have dealt with a lot of AI-related legislation. We are working with our EU colleagues. As the Deputy knows, the AI Bill has gone into the trilogue process. That will govern the use of AI on a common basis across the EU.

The Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, and I have both invited members to a briefing from the national AI ambassador in the audiovisual room on Tuesday, 11 July so that we can answer people's queries on that, and many members have accepted. The incoming Spanish Presidency of the EU has indicated the development of an AI Act is its priority. Pending that legislation, it would be premature for us to insert this provision in this Bill. However, we may have to revisit the matter in the context of what is decided. I want to ensure we will have robust protections against threats from AI but that we will also be open to the opportunities it offers, of which there are many. The country's guide map on AI is based in our national AI strategy, which was published in August 2021.