Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
185. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of staff assigned to the digital economy policy unit of his Department; the work undertaken by the unit since it was created; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16347/22]
View answerThe Digital Economy Policy Unit in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment currently has eight staff members. It was created in the second half of 2017. Its initial focus was on coordinating the EU’s Digital Single Market (DSM) agenda across Government.
The role of the Unit expanded in April 2018 in line with developments on the DSM agenda. Accordingly, the Unit led the Irish position on the negotiations for the EU’s Platforms to Business Regulation, which was adopted in 2019 (EU Regulation 2019/1150) and was implemented into Irish law by S.I. No. 256 of 2020. At the same time, the Unit took responsibility for EU policy on Artificial Intelligence.
In December 2020, the European Commission published their proposals for two new EU Regulation, namely the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act.
The Unit has managed the Irish position in the negotiations on both proposals to date, including establishing an interdepartmental group that meets weekly, running public consultations and organising round table discussions with both business and representatives of civil society. The Council and European Parliament reached agreement on the Digital Markets Act on 25 March 2022. The Digital Services Act is in trilogue negotiations and is expected to be agreed before the end of June 2022.
The Unit also manages the Irish position in the EU negotiations for a Regulation on artificial intelligence, known as the AI Act. It conducted a public consultation in 2021 and is working across relevant Departments and Agencies on the Irish position. Negotiations in Council may reach a general approach in June of this year.
Last month, the Commission published its proposals for a Regulation on data, the Data Act and responsibility for coordinating the Irish position in the EU negotiations has been assigned to the Unit. It intends to open a public consultation shortly and is working with the relevant Departments to identify issues.
In mid - 2021, the Department expanded the remit of Digital Economy Policy Unit, to include national digital policy as well as EU policy and regulation. This includes responsibility for the implementation of the National AI Strategy (AI – Here for Good: National artificial intelligence strategy for Ireland), as well as the enterprise pillar of the National Digital Strategy (Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework). Actions under these strategies being advanced in the Unit include establishing Ireland’s first AI Ambassador, who will champion AI as a positive force for the economy and society. I intend to appoint the new Ambassador shortly. Another action in the Unit is the creation of an Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum [EDAF]. This forum will bring together representatives from across the enterprise base and experts in digital technologies to advise and work with Government to drive industry adoption of AI and other digital technologies. The Forum will be appointed shortly. The Unit is also responsible for the development of the Digital Transition Fund, which is an €85 million multi-annual fund that will be announced in Q2 of this year and will run until 2026. This fund is part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
Finally, the Unit manages Ireland’s representation at the D9+ Group on EU Member States, at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, and at the OECD on digital issues.
