Ms Caoilfhionn Gallagher:

I agree with the points made by Professor O'Sullivan and Dr. Ryan about the strength of the legal and regulatory framework and that the real issue is enforcement. When I came before the committee previously I used a phrase about the gap between the principle and practice. This is a clear example of a gap between us being world leading in principle but there being real issues in practice. There is an enforcement gap and this is a key issue.

With regard to the very important question Deputy Costello asked about the mindset that Europe will do it, I agree that it is problematic. It is particularly problematic because of the issues I outlined in my opening statement about the gap at international level and children's rights often being an afterthought. We see this in documentation from the Council of Europe and, to an extent, from the EU. This is a key issue. Fundamentally we have a situation where Ireland is the European home of a large number of tech companies that have a particular interest in the development of AI. I endorse and support the phrase used by Dr. Ryan earlier when he made clear in his opening statement that Ireland has the ability to become a trailblazer and a world leader and it should do so. If we adopt the approach of waiting and seeing what happens at European level, it will always mean that we are a little behind the curve. Ireland can and should do more.