Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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249. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within his Department in 2024 and to date in 2025; if any section of his Department currently makes use of artificial intelligence; if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI; if he will provide a schedule of consultants engaged and costs of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6348/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has not engaged any consultancy firms to provide advice in respect of the use of AI. Some guidance has been received from Microsoft in relation to their Copilot platform as part of regular account management meetings and at no additional cost to the Department. A free version Copilot is being assessed by staff in the Department under strict controls. A project is commencing this year with an AI proof of concept for the Coast Guard. Further use cases and additional proof of concepts may be explored in the year ahead but no specific projects have been approved nor budget allocated at this time.