Written answers

Thursday, 10 April 2025

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Artificial Intelligence

Photo of James GeogheganJames Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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329. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will identify any projects which a body under the aegis of his Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; if he will send this question to the bodies for direct response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18387/25]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the State Bodies and have requested that a response issue within 10 days.

Photo of James GeogheganJames Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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330. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will specify the specific policy areas where the Department is examining future use of AI; if he will identify what entities the Department is working with, public or private, in relation to this examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18405/25]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department is considering the future use cases of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the following areas as proof of concept projects.

  • Application development and Service Delivery.
  • Agri-food supply chain security.
  • Customer Service and Corporate administration.
All current and future use cases are subject to review, data protection and governance measures and are solely under the governance of my Department. My Department is committed to ensuring that any use of AI is informed by an assessment of any potential human rights and equality implications, with a need for careful management in accordance with privacy and broader ethical and legal frameworks.

Photo of James GeogheganJames Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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331. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will identify any AI training offered to people working in the Department; the level of take-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18422/25]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department has an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy in place which has been communicated to all staff through an AI awareness campaign. Training on the use of AI is in development and will be provided to staff in due course. In the interim, there is a dedicated Data Management and Analytics Division acting as a centre of excellence and support for Data and AI.

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