Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
88. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to set out the policy in his Department regarding the use of artificial intelligence; whether AI is used or permitted in drawing up policy documents, speeches, answers to parliamentary questions, press releases or for other official documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15617/26]
View answerI can confirm for the Deputy that my department recently developed an Interim Strategy on the Adoption and Use of AI within the Department. This has been circulated to all staff, and access to Microsoft Copilot Chat was provided to all staff in December 2025. The Interim Strategy sets out an initial approach to support the department in its use of AI and provides guidance to ensure adherence to appropriate security, governance, risk management and data controls. The strategy is aligned with the Guidelines for the Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in the Irish Public Service, which were launched in May 2025. The strategy provides that artificial intelligence should not be used to generate official content, such as Memos for Government, responses to Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial Representations, Ministerial speeches, and should only be used as an aid. Users should validate and verify AI-generated content and disclose where AI-generated content is used.
Furthermore, my department follows guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) including “Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies” released in June 2023. The NCSC guidance recommended that new technology should only be adopted based on a clearly defined business needs following an appropriate risk assessment.
