Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Shanahan and Senator Garvey. Today's discussion is on Ireland's national strategic roadmap for the EU digital decade policy programme. The latter is a comprehensive EU-wide framework to guide EU-level and member state policies on digital services in line with the European values of fairness, equality, freedom and protection. In September 2023, the European Commission published its report on the state of the digital decade and member states' progress on the digital transformation targets set out in the policy programme. In response, Ireland submitted its first national roadmap on the EU digital decade highlighting the progress made so far and acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead in meeting the targets set out in the policy programme. Of particular interest to this committee are the challenges in respect of the digitalisation of businesses such as take-up of artificial intelligence, AI, use of big data and cloud computing.

The committee is pleased to have the opportunity to consider these matters further today with the following representatives of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Ms Jean Carberry, assistant secretary in the digital, EU and climate programme division; Ms Ciara Bartley, principal officer, digital economy policy and data access unit; and Ms Nóirín Ní Earcáin, assistant principal, digital economy policy and data access unit.

Before we start, I will explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practices of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to another person in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence within the parliamentary precincts is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against a person or entity either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed by me to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Copies of Ms Carberry's statement has been circulated to members. I invite her to make her opening remarks on behalf of the Department.