Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I welcome everyone to this meeting. There are apologies from Senator Lynn Ruane; Senator Alice-Mary Higgins may replace her. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil is Leas-Chathaoirleach of the committee for an Gaeilge, whose Chair, Deputy Catherine Connolly, is busy with other things at the moment, but he may be able to join us.

We are looking at the issues around artificial intelligence. The committee has divided it into a range of modules. We will be looking at AI and the State, AI and healthcare and AI and energy, but we initially felt it was very important to get a couple of key perspectives. People will be aware that last week, we had a session on AI and children and young people. Next week, we will focus on AI and disability, but we decided we would focus on the issue of AI and older people this morning. For the representatives of older people's organisations, we want to be very citizen-focused so when the committee gets to consider all these issues, we can ensure that the concerns of all sectors of society are taken into account.

I remind people of the usual terms and conditions, as they say, of appearing before our committee. Members must be physically present in the confines of Leinster House. If members are joining on MS Teams, as a number are, they should confirm they are present in the House.

I thank all our witnesses and the representative groups who have come here. I will invite each of them to deliver a brief opening statement. Mr. Seán Moynihan is the chief executive officer of ALONE; Ms Camille Loftus is head of advocacy and public affairs at Age Action; and Ms Sharon Casey is membership development officer with the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament. Following their presentations, we will go to questions and answers from members. I invite Mr. Moynihan to make his opening statement.