Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

168. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he and his Department have put in place any measures to prevent an app (details supplied) and other AI applications being used to undermine future public consultations on inland fisheries policy and inland fisheries legislation where written submissions are accepted from stakeholders as well as the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24213/23]

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he and his Department will issue any guidance to Inland Fisheries Ireland, which operates under his Department's aegis, regarding the threat of an app (details supplied) and other AI applications to future public consultations run by the statutory body where written submissions are accepted on inland fisheries plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24214/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.

Any use of ChatGPT or other AI tools in my Department is governed by existing GDPR, Cloud Computing and Acceptable Usage policies which prohibit entering any commercial, sensitive or non-public information into such services. The OGCIO and NCSC have a role in relation to this topic but at present there is no advice from either body to block access to ChatGPT. My Department will continue to monitor this area and act upon any future guidance received.

Specifically in relation to the Inland Fisheries Sector, public consultations, where required, relate to policy and legislative proposals which are largely based on robust scientific advice supporting the management advice of inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). The vast majority of submissions are made by stakeholders across the angling, commercial fishing, environmental and ecological sectors.

The Department or IFI cannot direct the manner in which submissions to public consultations are formulated other than to specify that they are in writing. However, submissions are viewed through the lens of the expert advice referred to above and the legislative framework underpinning the Inland Fisheries sector.