267. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department have policies on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Department and those agencies; whether training has been provided to staff on the use of AI; if his Department has used AI, including large language models, in the preparation of legislation or statutory instruments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1591/25]

My Department is awaiting the publication of updated guidelines on the use of AI from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, which are due in the near future and these will inform any internal policy that is subsequently developed. In the interim, some departmental staff have attended events and training relating to the capabilities and potential applications of AI. Use cases and possible "proof of concepts" are being explored. However, my Department has not used AI in the preparation of legislation or statutory instruments, nor has the Department deployed any AI tools on citizen facing services.

I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Department's agencies for direct, detailed reply as regards their actions in this area. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten days.