Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the run up to the recess, we agreed to do a state-of-the-nation discussion. We have been lucky enough so far to hear from Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland and the AI advisory council. This morning we are very happy to have Ireland's first Minister of State with responsibility for artificial intelligence, Deputy Niamh Smyth, and officials from her Department, to talk about her role and more broadly about where the Government sees AI and the plans for the years ahead.

We have agreed to operate in modular format. From the autumn, we will be looking at the issues of AI in the State. We will start with three sessions in the autumn, one on AI and children and young people, one on AI and older people and one on AI and disability. We want to ensure that the possibilities of this technology be inclusive and that every sector of society is involved.

After the Minister of State delivers her opening statement, each member of the committee will have seven minutes to ask and have answered questions. If we have time, we will go to a second round, but we may be under pressure because most people are here. After our public meeting with the Minister of State we will then meet the AI unit of the Houses of the Oireachtas to explore how AI will be used in the Houses of the Oireachtas. No apologies have been received. Before the Minister of State makes her opening statement I need to do the terms and conditions piece.

I advise members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via MS Teams, that prior to making their contribution to the meeting, they confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex.

Joining the Minister of State are: Ms Jean Carberry, assistant secretary of the digital division of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Mr. Declan McCormack, principal officer with responsibility for AI and digital regulation; Ms Michelle Kearney, principal officer at the national artificial intelligence unit and Ms Orla Mulready, assistant principal at the digital and AI programmes unit. Thank you all very much for being with us today. I now invite the Minister of State to give her opening remarks.