Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
9. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will consider the use of agentic AI in procurement processes by his Department and the State generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27610/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently use agentic AI in procurement processes.
However, we recognise that AI offers immense possibilities to improve the provision of public services, including procurement.
In May 2025, my Department published Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service. These guidelines are intended to support widespread public-sector adoption of AI tools, emphasising transparency, safety, data protection, and human oversight.
In recognition of the risks associated with the use of agentic AI systems that may autonomously influence or make procurement decisions, public sector bodies may be exposed to increased risks. These risks must be mitigated through the mandatory application of robust governance and control measures, including clearly defined human oversight. The Guidelines include the principle of Human Agency and Oversight to ensure that human oversight structures are in place, human responsibility remains central in decision-making, allowing for public trust in AI and public adoption of AI applications.
The Office of Government Procurement is currently assessing the feasibility of establishing AI-specific procurement supports and is currently engaged in Pre Market Consultation which will inform its future plans.
The consultation seeks market input on procuring AI technologies across the public sector, which implicitly includes process-supporting AI used by procurement teams. This reflects a proactive stance towards structured use of AI in procurement operations.
Also in May 2025, the Office of Government Procurement, a Division within my Department updated the Cloud Services Procurement Guidance Note, to include references and high-level guidance relevant to the procurement of AI solutions, solely in the context of cloud services.
