I thank the Acting Chair. If I could be given a little bit of latitude to conclude.

In November 2024 the Government designated a list of national public bodies that protect fundamental rights. We need to just keep that in our minds. These are nine national bodies to protect fundamental rights, including the right to non-discrimination in relation to certain high-risk uses of AI systems specific to the AI Act. In addition, once established the national AI office of Ireland will engage and consult with a broad range of stakeholders across civic society, including the representative bodies most affec…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and those Senators who are here tonight to contribute to this really important debate. Before I outline my key priorities for Ireland’s approach to artificial intelligence, Al, I want to make some points about the online safety matters that have come so sharply into focus in recent weeks. They have highlighted the importance of having an effective legal framework to deal with issues around images, deepfakes and, of course, consent. I share Senators' serious concerns over reports of h…

I thank Senators Crowe, Nelson Murray, Scahill, Harmon, Stephenson and Ruane for their really thoughtful contributions. The debate has been very measured, thoughtful and considered. It demonstrates the advantages of AI in terms of its capabilities. It has to be acknowledged that AI has significant potential to allow businesses, particularly SMEs, to grow and scale up. Equally, the responsibility I have - it bears very heavily on me to do it right - is to ensure that our citizens are protected, that our fundamental …

I thank the Labour Party and colleagues on all sides of the House who made really important contributions. It has been a very fair and balanced debate on the pros and cons, as there always are with these matters, of the proposals before the House. As set out by the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, in moving the amendment to the motion, the Government is committed to delivering sustainable transport projects and facilitating remote work in a way that maximises the economic, social and environmental benefits. As o…

I thank all the Deputies on the committee because we had some robust debates on this matter, which I appreciate. I welcome the representatives of RAAP, who are in the Gallery. I thank them for the engagement they have had with the officials in my Department on this. I know they were sincerely meant and very meaningful. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for these amendments. The sharing of equitable remuneration or royalties between producers and performers, when music is played or performed in public, is required by intern…

I have listened to Deputy Ó Snodaigh's arguments but, on this occasion, I cannot accept the amendment.

I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for his amendments - amendments Nos. 3 and 7 to which I will speak, as well as to the Government amendments Nos. 4 and 5 . I also thank Deputy Gogarty for his contribution. Amendments Nos. 3 and 7 were discussed at length during Committee Stage. I do not support them. The Bill sets out a new process to decide how equitable remuneration is shared if this cannot be agreed between those involved, as is required by the EU rental and lending directive. The Bill therefore introduces a backstop, …

I thank both gentlemen for their contributions. To reiterate the point, there had been no referrals to the controller before the most recent dispute arose. The adjudication of such matters does extend into the judicial remit. The courts are therefore best placed to deal with this. I take on board the point that it is certainly not pleasant and not a financial direction anyone wants to take but, if the matter extends into the judicial remit, the courts need to be involved.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 4, line 13, to delete “reasonable.”,” and substitute the following: “reasonable. (3F) Subject to subsection (3G), a party to an order under subsection (3E) or (3H) may apply to the Circuit Court to vary that order where a change in circumstances has occurred since the order was made, relevant to the particulars of that order. (3G) An application under subsection (3F) may not be made within 12 months from the date on which the order in respect of the application was made except with t…

I move amendment No. 5: In page 4, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: “(i) in paragraph (a), by the substitution of “this section, or” for “this section,”,”.

I thank the Deputy for these amendments; however, they go beyond the scope of this Bill. They seek to amend the Copyright and Related Rights Act to state which collective management organisation has the ultimate decision-making authority as to how equitable remuneration is divided among either performers or producers. This extends beyond the scope of the Bill. This matter was the subject of a long, but now concluded, court case, and the Bill does not seek to address this. The amendments make reference to the collec…

The Deputy does not have to.

I thank the Deputy for his amendment and for raising this point. It has been raised with my officials by RAAP, an organisation that represents performers, in a submission and in a meeting with it. The Government attaches great importance to ensuring Ireland’s national copyright law is in line with our obligations under international and EU law. This is a point which, to my knowledge, has been raised before. It is also not clear what, if any, impact it may be having. However, it certainly merits further detailed exa…

Given the already considerable delays in getting this small but complex Bill to this stage, it cannot be further delayed. It is a complex point on the interplay between national, EU and international copyright law and international conventions. It requires careful consideration if required, to ensure no unintended consequences arise from any amendments.

I will begin by thanking colleagues around the House for their understanding that I could not be here at the very beginning of the debate. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, for taking the reins. I thank colleagues who made contributions here today, which were all very heartfelt. This week has shown how we can react and respond. It is not just about reacting. I will take up a couple of the points that were made here today in a more nuanced way. We have three laws in place in this country that I be…

I thank the Deputy very much for her important question. The programme for Government sets out a strong enterprise and fiscal framework that prioritises economic and employment growth and competitiveness. I am pleased to report that the Irish labour market saw sustained employment growth, rising labour force participation and record job numbers last year, indicative of a resilient performance. In total, over 2.8 million people are now employed in Ireland, with employment up 61,500 on average in the first nine month…

I thank the Deputy. As she will hear in my response, I acknowledge the fact, laid out in the CSO data, that there is a clear rise in youth unemployment, with the unemployment rate pertaining to young people between the ages of 15 and 24 having risen to 14% in quarter 3 of 2025 from 11.5% a year previously. This compares to a more modest rise in unemployment among our older cohort, from 3.4% to 3.9% among those aged 25 to 74. I acknowledge that. However, there is a strong underlying demographic effect within the lab…

Pathways to Work, as a national employment strategy, addresses the key targets, as the Deputy has laid out. The key target strategy includes: supporting 75,000 long-term unemployed into employment by May and reducing long-term unemployment by 2.5% of the labour force by 2025; reducing youth unemployment to below its 2019 average of 12.5%; ensuring better labour market outcomes for those most at risk of poverty, including lone parents and people with disabilities; and improving labour market transitions by reducing …

Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine. I share in both Senators' horror at what has happened to these beautiful little children and their teaching staff. I thank the Senators for raising this important issue and share the deep concern they expressed at the horrific news of the large-scale abduction of over 300 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary's Catholic school in Nigeria last Friday. I also acknowledge separate abductions of school children which have happened in recent weeks. Unfortunately, this is not something ne…