Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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477. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has a policy, or has issued guidance to staff on the use of artificial intelligence, large language model, natural language processing, generative or otherwise, or products based thereon in the course of their duties; if this has been communicated to staff; if she will publish same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36145/24]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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478. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department, or any agency under her auspices, has ever used any artificial intelligence software in the preparation of response to parliamentary questions, or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation; the details of same if applicable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36164/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 477 and 478 together.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) software in the preparation of responses to parliamentary questions or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation.

I am informed by each of the agencies under the aegis of my Department that they do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) software in the preparation of responses to parliamentary questions or in responses to any correspondence from outside their organisation.

Where appropriate, my Department plans to assess the opportunities presented by all digital tools, including AI software, to enhance service delivery to customers, in full compliance with National Cyber Security Centre (NSSC) advice, and in line with the Government's AI Strategy, "AI – Here for good." As with all new technologies, its adoption will be subject to data privacy and other appropriate legislation, and approval by the Department’s internal governance processes.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued guidance to all Government Departments in June of last year in relation to the use of Generative AI. My Department complies with this guidance and is currently drafting a specific policy on Generative AI which will be circulated to all staff upon completion.