Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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I am not sure if I will use all of my seven minutes. I came mainly with the intention of listening and learning rather than using my mouth. However, one question has crossed my mind in the course of the discussion so far.

By the way, I apologise because I will have to leave afterwards. I have to be somewhere at 11 a.m. This has been informative and interesting.

A certain amount of discussion has revolved around the issue of regulation. We all know that in other spheres, there is competition for investment based on a lowering of regulatory standards.

In many states, there will be lower standards in environmental regulations and there can be an attraction for capital to flow in that direction. It is often said that data centres are proliferating in the State because the climate suits them. It is relatively cool, not too hot, etc. That is a huge factor. The tax regime is a factor but the interpretation and implementation of general data protection regulation, GDPR, legislation is a factor as well. There have been plenty of examples in the recent history of the State where light-touch regulation has been linked to the idea of an attractive location for foreign capital to invest, etc. Do the witnesses see any issues and dangers in the approach of the State in terms of investment from those who are generating and developing artificial intelligence, AI, but also those who are using AI in their business? Are we to have a level playing pitch?

As for the European legislation that is on the way, I agree with the points raised by the ICTU representatives that it falls far short in protecting the rights of workers and citizens but the message is that this is for a level playing pitch. We can have European legislation and then it being interpreted in different ways in different states. It does not always work out that way. I would be interested in hearing the comments of the witnesses on that.