Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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We briefly discussed the security of our elections, which is critical to our democracy. A number of colleagues referred to the presidential election. I saw the Catherine Connolly deepfake and I did not believe in it but there were people who did, which surprised me. Hopefully, we will not have a general election until 2029. By that stage, AI technology and its ability - we have seen how deepfakes are developing - will be far more advanced. The presidential election was one election. Obviously, a general election means over 40 different elections will happen and deepfakes will be far more advanced. We have not really touched on the issue of chatbots but I want to talk about how malign actors, including state actors, are looking to influence our democracy. I am thinking, in particular, of Russia. We have seen in elections in Romania and Moldova that there has been an external influence. How prepared are we for that for the next general election in 2029? What is An Coimisiún Toghcháin doing to prepare for that? What more does the State need to do? The representatives from An Coimisiún na Meán may also wish to comment on that.