Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues for being here today for the first session of the week. I appreciate them all being here. I compliment the Chair on the state-of-the-nation hearings he has done so far. I have listened to bits and pieces of some of them, but I admire the approach the committee has taken on the three modular pieces regarding AI. It is really critical because it goes to the heart of what it is about: protecting our citizens. The committee is exploring AI's impact on people with disabilities, children and older people to make sure we do this inclusively. I congratulate the committee on that.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to appear before the committee for the first time since my appointment as a Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. I congratulate the committee and wish it every success in its important work. It is essential that we continue to have open, informed and balanced conversations about AI, including its opportunities, its challenges and its role in our society’s future. The committee's contribution to the national conversation on AI will be of great value to me and to the Department as we navigate this new digital landscape.

My appointment as the first Minister of State with responsibility for artificial intelligence reflects the Government’s recognition that AI requires dedicated focus, not just as an economic opportunity, but as a societal transformation that must be managed thoughtfully. We are living through a time of extraordinary technological change, which brings with it both immense opportunity and profound responsibility. Our vision is clear: to build an Ireland where AI and digital innovation serve the common good, empower our people and strengthen our economy in a way that is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable. Ireland's national AI strategy, AI: Here For Good, refreshed in November 2024, provides our roadmap to deliver on this vision. The strategy takes a human-centred approach to governance, emphasising fairness, transparency and the building of public trust in AI. It sets out a whole-of-government approach to putting the necessary enablers in place to harness AI for our greater good.

Along with the enormous opportunities AI presents, there are challenges and risks we must address. Ireland is working closely with other member states to create an effective governance framework for AI, with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act at its core. My Department has lead responsibility for the implementation of this landmark legislation and I am pleased that work is well under way to fulfil our obligations under the Act. In March 2025, the Government decided that Ireland will adopt a distributed model of implementation of the EU AI Act, with a central authority that will act as Ireland’s AI office.

The decision to use the existing national framework of sectoral authorities for enforcement will make compliance with the EU AI Act easier for businesses, which can continue to work with regulators who understand their specific challenges and opportunities. In March 2025, the Government agreed the designation of an initial list of eight competent authorities for the Act, namely, the Central Bank of Ireland, Commission for Communications Regulation, Commission for Railway Regulation, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Data Protection Commission, Health and Safety Authority, Health Products Regulatory Authority and Marine Survey Office at the Department of Transport. The AI Act prohibits AI being used to engage in social scoring or to exploit vulnerabilities of specific groups, including those identified by age, disability and social or economic circumstances. The Act also directly addresses the issues surrounding discrimination affecting marginalised communities, including people with disabilities and economically disadvantaged populations.

In October 2024, Ireland identified the national public authorities responsible for supervising and enforcing compliance with fundamental rights, particularly the right of non-discrimination with regard to certain high-risk uses of AI systems. These authorities will receive additional powers under the AI Act to help them in protecting the fundamental rights in circumstances where the use of AI may pose a high risk to those rights. These powers will apply from 2 August 2026.

These fundamental rights authorities are An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Coimisiún na Meán, the Data Protection Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Ombudsman, Ombudsman for Children’s Office and the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces.

My key focus this year is to drive AI adoption and AI literacy and awareness, particularly in small and medium-sized business sector. SMEs are the backbone of the economy and a vital source of jobs in every town and community across Ireland. In today’s complex global environment, it is more important than ever that we provide them with the tools and support they need to thrive. The grow digital portal, which was launched in 2024, showcases digital success stories where businesses have embraced AI and digital solutions to increase efficiency and reduce costs. We have introduced targeted grant funding, such as the grow digital voucher, and advisory supports for business which we will continue to grow. This means we are well positioned to drive accelerated adoption of AI in the coming years.

In addition, Ireland’s four European digital innovation hubs provide expertise, training and testing opportunities to SMEs, either for free or at a reduced cost. CeADAR has been designated as Ireland’s European digital innovation hub for AI and specialises in enabling the uptake of AI and data analytics.

I will finish by making three commitments: a well-resourced AI office which will be at the centre of Ireland’s AI governance system and will be a repository of expertise in AI; a strong programme of AI literacy and awareness for the SME sector; and a focus on driving AI adoption by Irish business. I look forward to the committee's comments, observations and questions.