James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department is developing a policy for the use of high-risk AI tools, as categorised by the EU AI Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18339/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The EU AI Act (2024) came into force this year with a suite of measures designed to ensure acceptable and transparent use of AI in the private sphere and in public administration, for the benefit of the public, the economy and society.

My colleague, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment officials with responsibility for the EU AI Act in Ireland are engaging regularly with Officials in this Department and across Government in the implementation of this important and landmark regulation. For Public Services this is further reflected in the National AI Strategy (2024) Strand 4, and with a focus on increasing capacity and adoption of AI for public service delivery and for evidence-informed policy development.

In the course of the year, my own Department will publish practice-orientated Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service, which augment existing specific requirements regarding each 'risk' classification within the EU AI Act (2024). These Guidelines will seek to compliment and further inform corporate strategies regarding the adoption of innovative technology and ways of working, and to set a high standard for public service transformation and innovation, while prioritising public trust and people’s rights.

The Department will take all necessary steps to comply with the EU AI Act (2024) according to the timeline for implementation.