Report of the Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence: Motion
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-26
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Niamh Smyth (FF), Cavan-Monaghan

I thank each and every Deputy for their measured, considered contributions. We are all striving and working towards the same thing. I might specify two particular issues that have been raised overall.
On simplification, I know how Deputy Gibney in particular feels, but we all feel passionate about it. The idea of simplification does not in any way diminish our protection of citizens and our fundamental rights. That is absolutely clear. The Deputy is right, in that I am coming from the perspective of being in the Department of enterprise. We are all agreed that, for many years, businesses have felt stifled by bureaucracy and over-regulation. There is no doubt about that, but we cannot just lumber it all in together. I want to thank my officials, including Mr. Declan McCormack, who is here with me and has been through every debate to advise and assure me, as well as to take the views the Deputies make so that those are fed into the regulation of the AI office.
The fundamental rights and the protection of our citizens is going to be at the heart of everything we do. That is very important.
With regard to the simplification piece and the digital omnibus, Ireland will be pushing to ensure that it does not mean deregulation or the exposure of fundamental rights for our citizens.
There is one other piece. Nine national authorities have been identified as the formal bodies for the protection of fundamental rights under the AI Act. These authorities have a central role in the implementation of the AI regulation in Ireland and Europe. My Department is engaging with these authorities and will continue to ensure that there is balance, and that innovation and creativity among our businesses is allowed to flourish and that they are not killed by bureaucracy, which we know has been a problem, and at the same time we are looking at and protecting the fundamental rights of our citizens. I just wanted to outline that from the outset.
I thank the chair of the committee, Deputy Malcolm Byrne, and all colleagues for speaking today, and for the publication of this report. I welcome this constructive contribution and discussion on our approach to AI. It is clear that no one entity can navigate the complexities of AI alone. This debate is very timely with the publication last week of the national digital and AI strategy. Digital Ireland sets out a clear road map for Ireland's digital and AI adoption and development in the years ahead. As mentioned, it takes a whole-of-government approach, building on Ireland's strengths in digital skills, enterprise, infrastructure and the transformation of public services. It has to be acknowledged that the Department of the Taoiseach has taken a central piece and a central role in collaborating on the national AI and digital strategy, but my colleagues right across Government have a role too, including the Minister, Deputy Jack Chambers, who has responsibility for AI and the guidelines around public services. The Minister f or Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy James Lawless, also has a specific role and a focus on AI. There are many different elements and many different Departments within government. It is not a silo we are working in. It has that broad approach and every single Minister within this Government is very conscious of the impact of AI in all of our Departments, and that is exactly how it should be.
A central element of the strategy is to champion AI as a transformative strategic technology, reinforcing our ambition to maximise its economic and societal impact. There is a strong alignment between elements of the strategy and several of the committee's recommendations. I think we are all united in our shared aim of ensuring that everyone in society is equipped and empowered to thrive in this digital era.
Delivering on the strategy requires strong leadership. Implementation will be driven from the centre of Government by the Department of the Taoiseach, working with all relevant Departments, and overseen by the Cabinet committee on economy, trade and competitiveness. Progress will be monitored via the senior officials' group on digital and AI issues, with progress reports published annually.
Regular stakeholder engagements will be a key element in ensuring successful, responsive and agile implementation. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on AI's report emphasises the need for engagement and input from civil society. I take on board too the recommendation and the thought process on a civic open discussion around this debate. That is a really good idea.
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that Ireland's approach to AI serves the needs of all parts of society. Digital Ireland renews the Government's commitment to inclusion and accessibility to ensure that no one is left behind in this digital and AI revolution.
Our wider national governance framework for AI, including implementation of the EU AI Act, is designed to promote fairness, transparency and strong protections for health, safety and fundamental rights, while supporting the development of a human-centered, trustworthy AI.
Apologies Chair, I obviously waffled too long. Could I conclude?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-26/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:42+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-26