New AI State watchdog with €25m annual war chest needed to police ‘rapid rise' of tech & help keep Irish citizens safe
2
Fianna Fail TD Naoise O'Cearuil wants to see the creation of a State AI watchdog
Artificial intelligence is already in use in many industries in
A report from recruitment firm Morgan McKinley this week highlighting that big
The
Amid the growth in AI,
READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS
The National Artificial Intelligence Office Bill 2026 would create a body that would have the power to investigate complaints, suspend AI systems and fine those found to be breaching rules.
This would be headed up by an independent Commissioner in a similar fashion to the Data Protection Commission.
The office would have an annual budget of €25 million in its first five years which would be part-funded by the
A briefing document on the bill details how the watchdog will be needed to police the growth of AI in a range of areas across the country, including
Most read in The Irish Sun
For example, the Department of Social Protection could use algorithmic fraud detection to catch welfare cheats, while AI could also be used as a diagnostic aid in our
Deputy O'Cearuil highlighted the possibility of self-driving cars coming to the streets of Ireland in the near future with similar autonomous vehicles already on the roads in American cities such as
'RAPID RISE'
He told the Irish Sun: 'We've seen the rapid rise of artificial intelligence not just nationally here in Ireland but also internationally and the key component is that citizens remain safe.
'So as a regulator this would ensure that things such as healthcare or autonomous
'It would also act as an enabler as well.
"We see many stories where there has been
The bill was raised in the Dail today with
2
Artificial intelligence is already in use in many industries in Ireland
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Trump threatens to ramp up tariffs on India for its dealing with 'Russian War Machine'
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP threatened today to 'substantially' hike US tariffs on goods from India over its purchases of Russian oil – a key source of revenue for Moscow's war on Ukraine. Trump's heightened pressure on India comes after he signalled fresh sanctions on Moscow if Russia did not make progress by Friday towards a peace deal with Ukraine, more than three years since Russia's full-scale invasion. Moscow is anticipating talks with the US leader's special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin this week. Today, Trump said in a post to his Truth Social platform that India was 'buying massive amounts of Russian Oil' and selling it for 'big profits.' 'They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,' Trump added. 'Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.' But he did not provide details on what tariff level he had in mind. Advertisement For now, an existing 10 percent US tariff on Indian products is expected to rise to 25 percent come Thursday. Today's threats against India come after Trump last week ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in response to what he called 'provocative' comments from Russia's ex-president. Russia, in its first comments on the deployment, today urged 'caution'. 'Russia is very attentive to the topic of nuclear non-proliferation. And we believe that everyone should be very, very cautious with nuclear rhetoric,' the Kremlin's Peskov said. The chief of staff to Zelenskyy today backed Trump's actions. 'The concept of peace through strength works,' Andriy Yermak wrote on social media. 'The moment American nuclear submarines appeared, one Russian drunk — who had just been threatening nuclear war on X – suddenly went silent,' he added. Trump has previously threatened that new measures could mean 'secondary tariffs' targeting Russia's remaining trade partners, such as China and India. This would further stifle Russia, but would risk significant international disruption. - © AFP 2025
The Journal
4 hours ago
- The Journal
Belfast Gaeilge org rejects funding from US union over its leader's praise for bombing Iran
A WEST BELFAST Irish language organisation has said its new youth a community hub will no longer bear the name of a prominent American trade unionist after he praised US President Donald Trump's recent bombing of Iran. Glór na Móna said that the comments made in a letter sent to Trump by the International Longshoremen Association president, Harold Daggett, do not represent the values and principles of the organisation. For this reason, the organisation said it had ended the funding agreement with the association. Daggett had congratulated Trump for joining in the Israeli attacks on Iran in June of this year, which targeted the country's nuclear energy facilities and high-ranking members of its military, 'while defending Israel, one of our nation's most faithful and supportive allies'. The Israeli attack on Iran was widely condemned around the world. However, it was supported by most Western countries, including the US, who said Israel had a right to defend itself, despite it being Israel that instigated the conflict, which lasted 12 days and killed hundreds of Iranians and at least 28 Israelis. Advertisement Glór na Móna said it was proud of its 'long-term commitment to solidarity and internationalism' and that the people of West Belfast 'have suffered grievously because of the conflict in our country and have a natural affinity with other oppressed peoples in struggle against colonisation'. 'This solidarity has always extended to the people of Palestine, particularly at this time, in the context of the genocide and mass starvation being perpetrated by the Israeli government.' Glór na Móna said the loss of the finding was 'undoubtedly a setback' for its Croí na Carraige project . 'Naturally, this presents Glór na Móna with a fresh challenge in providing our community with the facilities it sorely needs and deserves,' it said. 'Twenty-seven years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, our young people are still being forced to avail of programmes in temporary mobiles. This is unacceptable and intolerable. 'The ongoing failure to treat our young people as equals will be met with the same determination and resolve that has fuelled the growth of Glór na Móna and the revival of the Irish language.' Harold Daggett has been contacted by The Journal and asked for comment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Post
4 hours ago
- Irish Post
Irish public do not approve of a Trump state visit, poll finds
A NEW opinion poll shows that a majority of the Irish public does not support the idea of inviting Donald Trump for a state visit to Ireland. According to research conducted by Ireland Thinks for the Irish Independent, 74% of respondents said they were against such an invitation. Just 20% were in favour, while 6% expressed no opinion. Participants were asked whether the Irish government should officially invite Trump for a formal visit. Trump was recently in Scotland, where he played golf and met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to finalise a trade agreement. During his presidency, he also made private visits to his golf property in Doonbeg, County Clare, and met with then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Shannon Airport during a brief stopover in 2019. He spent a night at his resort in Doonbeg on that occasion. The Irish public's perception of Trump stands in stark contrast to the warm welcomes historically given to previous US presidents. In 1995, Bill Clinton drew a crowd of 80,000 in Dublin's College Green. A similar reception greeted Barack Obama in the same location during his 2011 visit. Former President Obama and his wife, Michelle, have now been invited by Dublin's current Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam, to formally accept the Freedom of the City next month. The invitation includes a ceremonial reception at the Mansion House. In his letter to the Obamas, Mayor McAdam praised the former president's leadership during a turbulent period in American history, noting his "dignified and hopeful" approach to governance that inspired many globally, including in Ireland. See More: Donald Trump, Irish State Visit
