Work & Technology Correspondent
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to tackle scam text messages.
It pledges to examine the feasibility of implementing an SMS scam filter that functions like email spam filters to help reduce scam messages.
The incoming government also said it will advocate for national and EU legislation that permits online platforms to only advertise financial products from companies regulated by their competent national authority, helping to eliminate fake endorsements.
Other fraud prevention steps include a commitment to work with relevant agencies and industry stakeholders to act on the measures contained in the National Payment Strategy to effectively tackle fraud including the establishment of a fraud database.
The Programme for Government also contains a commitment to work with stakeholders to tackle controversial recommender algorithms that push harmful content into the feeds of social media users.
It pledges to examine ways to enforce age verification obligations on online service providers and hold them to account for failure to do so.
“This Government will support and fund Coimisiún na Meán in enforcing the Online Safety Code, and work with Coimisiún na Meán to inform children, young people, and their parents about their rights online under the new safety framework,” the programme states.
There is also a commitment to support and fund online safety programmes for schools, and to resource and implement the new EU Online Safety Framework to protect vulnerable groups from online harm, and tackle disinformation.
Data centres
The Programme for Government states that it will work to ensure that Ireland is the most secure location for data storage, management, and services within the EU.
There is a pledge to “recognise the central role data centres play in contributing to economic growth and the enterprise economy, and ensure efficient grid usage, and that waste heat capture for district heating systems and other uses is prioritised.”
“We will take actions to fully realise the economic potential of the digital and AI revolution, and the development of new clean technologies which will be key drivers of growth and the decarbonisation of our economy,” the programme states.
It pledges new strategies for semiconductors, and for areas where the country has a strong competitive advantage, including in pharma and medtech, ICT and digital, financial services and the agri-food sector.
Regulation
The programme pledges to invest to make Ireland an “EU centre of expertise for digital and data regulation.”
There is also a commitment to the country being a regulatory hub for companies operating across the EU Digital Single Market
When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), there is a pledge to ensure that the skills necessary for AI deployment, AI innovation and AI support are provided through education and professional learning networks.
The incoming government says it will complete research on the impact of digital devices in classrooms and consider the report’s findings.
“AI has the potential to enhance education and inclusion and we will ensure it is used appropriately in education settings,” the programme states.
There is a commitment to deliver a new National Cybersecurity Strategy in 2025 and promote a centre of excellence for cyber security skills.
There is also a pledge to tackle broadband blackspots that are not included in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area and which are unlikely to be served by commercial operators.
Work & Technology Correspondent
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