1. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the most recent EU leaders’ meeting or Council. [12965/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I wish the Taoiseach well during the time of the Presidency of the EU Council. When I submitted a parliamentary question to the Department of enterprise on a domestic issue, where I did not get a satisfactory response, the Department said that was due to competing work priorities, including the upcoming Presidency of the European Union. Given that in response to other parliamentary questions, 300 additional staff have been hired across all Departments for the EU Presidency, how can we ensure that the focus of the Government remains on domestic issues?

Sentiment score: 0.23

24. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the revised national digital and AI strategy. [16306/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

As I understand it, it is proposed that the Government is going to proceed with a ban on access to social media apps for those under 16. While I am agnostic about this because the evidence is quite mixed as to its effectiveness, particularly regarding the ability of young people to get around such bans, it will not be effective on its own unless there is a major programme of education. I believe it is critical that instead of focusing on and placing all the pressure on children and young people, we instead look at placing a greater digital duty of care on the tech companies. In any consideration, however, I ask that the views of children and young people be taken into account and that there be engagement with children and young people and their representatives.

Sentiment score: 0.05