BREAKING: Malcolm Byrne Steps Down as Chair of Oireachtas AI Committee

Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne has announced that he is stepping down as Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, citing the need to avoid any distraction to the committee's work while a Garda investigation into his arrest on suspicion of drink driving remains ongoing.

In a statement issued to South East Radio News this evening (Thursday), Byrne said his decision was made independently and was not connected to any direction from his party or colleagues.

"I have today decided to step down as Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence," Byrne said.

The move comes less than a week after the Wexford TD confirmed that he had been arrested on suspicion of drink driving after being stopped at a mandatory Garda checkpoint in Dublin city centre while travelling from his hotel to Dublin Airport in the early hours of Thursday morning.

At the time, Byrne said he was cooperating fully with Gardaí and had immediately informed Fianna Fáil of the incident. The party subsequently confirmed that Byrne had informed it of the arrest and stated that it would not comment further while the investigation remains active.

In his latest statement, Byrne stressed that his resignation as committee chair should not be interpreted as any admission or prejudgment regarding the Garda investigation.

"I am stepping down totally without prejudice to the ongoing legal process arising from my arrest on suspicion of drink driving. There is no further movement on this issue," he said.

"This decision to step down is entirely my own."

Byrne said he believed stepping aside from the leadership role was necessary given the circumstances and his responsibility to fellow members of the committee.

"Given the seriousness of the matter, my deep respect for my fellow committee members, and despite my strong personal and professional commitment to this area, I believe this is the right course of action to protect the Committee’s important work and ensure it can continue without any unnecessary distraction."

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence was established amid growing political and public interest in the regulation and governance of AI technologies. Byrne has been one of the leading political voices on artificial intelligence in Ireland and has previously highlighted the need for stronger protections around emerging technologies.

In his statement, Byrne noted that he had campaigned for the committee's creation and intended to remain actively involved in its work despite relinquishing the chairmanship.

"I will remain an active member of the Committee, which I campaigned to have established, and I will fully support the Vice-Chair and any new Chair appointed in continuing its important work."

He also pointed to the committee's record to date, saying its recommendations had helped shape government policy on AI.

"Our Committee works in a collegial and collaborative way, and our recommendations have influenced government’s approach to this transformative technology. Next week, we will publish our second interim report."

Byrne reiterated that he would not comment further on the Garda investigation while it remains ongoing.

"As the Garda investigation remains ongoing, and I am cooperating fully with that process, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on that matter at this time."

Despite stepping down as chair, Byrne said he would continue his work on AI-related issues both inside and outside the Oireachtas.

"I look forward to continuing my work as a member of the Committee and to continuing to write and speak about AI. Next week, I will also move Second Stage of the Protection of Voice and Image Bill, which I introduced in the Dáil."

No replacement chair for the committee has yet been announced.