Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Officials from my Department have been engaged in the negotiations on the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) since the proposal was published by the Commission in April 2021. The Act will put in place a horizontal EU regulatory framework which will apply to AI designed, developed or used in the EU, addressing the risks generated by specific use cases through a set of complementary, proportionate and flexible rules.

The Commission’s proposed text was discussed and negotiated at Council Working Party meetings over the course of 2021 and 2022, with negotiations on Ireland's position led by Officials in my Department. The Council reached an agreed approach in December 2022. Separately, the European Parliament (EP) negotiated a compromise text, also based on the Commission’s original draft. The EP voted in favour of its approach on 14^thJune 2023.

Trilogues negotiations (Council, Parliament and Commission) have commenced with the first Trilogue having taken place on the evening of 14^thJune. The Presidency has now delegated work to the Technical Committee and has set dates for the next three Trilogue meetings (18^thJuly, 26^thSeptember and 26^thOctober).

Negotiations will continue to be led by officials in my Department who are currently examining the EP’s compromise text against the Council agreed text and are consulting with relevant stakeholders in order to further develop Ireland's position on the Act.

The incoming Spanish Presidency has indicated that it wishes to conclude the negotiations by the end of December 2023. Given that AI has evolved significantly in recent months, it is important that we all work to reach an agreed approach as quickly as possible. At the same time, we must ensure that the regulation is flexible and future proofed and continues to protect the safety and fundamental rights of the individual while also ensuring that innovation for good continues in this area.