Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
4. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland’s overseas development aid policies and projects include measures to increase access to artificial intelligence and other technologies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15509/26]
View answerThe Government's international development policy, A Better World, recognises that technologies are transforming human interactions, and the world. The needs of those that have been left furthest behind, and people who are at risk of becoming more marginalised, remain at the centre of our development programme. Digital technology has the ability to empower communities and foster economic opportunities and development. Yet these technologies are often not experienced equitably. In the poorest countries, only 27 per cent of the population is connected to the internet. In response we are constantly reviewing our development cooperation to contribute to collective efforts, to sustain the gains already made, and to adapt to the pace of global change.
In negotiations on the global governance of information technologies, Ireland emphasises the global digital gap between developed and developing nations, with a particular focus on the impact on women. We have supported access to global decision-making structures for representatives from countries which are vulnerable to the effects of new and emerging digital technologies, yet often lack a voice in discussions on norms and regulation.
Ireland also supports multilateral organisations including the United Nations Development Programme and UNESCO, which actively work to bridge the "digital divide" and enhance access to Artificial Intelligence, as well as leveraging this technology to find solutions for sustainable development. In the developing countries where we work, we are supporting specific projects and capacity building initiatives focused on information integrity and the risks of misinformation and disinformation.
