The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has said the Government would need to make a “decision collectively” regarding its continued use of the social media platform X.
Peter Burke was responding to recent reports highlighting that the platform’s AI tool, Grok, can be used to generate fake sexualised images of individuals, including children, reports Breaking News.
When asked whether the Government should remain active on X in light of those reports, Mr Burke said: “Obviously the Government would have to take this decision collectively in relation to any platform that it’s on,” reports Breaking News.
Speaking to journalists at the launch of his department’s Sectoral Capital Plan 2026–2030, he said he was “hugely concerned” about reports that Grok could be used to generate sexual abuse imagery and stressed that “the Government has to be very firm on this”, reports Breaking News.
Mr Burke added: “We need to ensure that the current legislative framework is working as prescribed,” reports Breaking News.
The Minister of State with special responsibility for Artificial Intelligence, Niamh Smyth, had been expected to attend the event but did not appear, reports Breaking News.
Mr Burke said Ireland’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, is examining the issue alongside its counterparts across the European Union.
However, when asked if he would personally stop using the platform, the minister said: “Investigations have to run their course first,” reports Breaking News.
On Tuesday, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said in a post on X that “there needs to be serious scrutiny of any public body that continues to maintain a presence on a platform that has shown such a reckless and disturbing disregard for child safety”, reports Breaking News.
He added: “This will be my final post on this platform under its current ownership. I will not lend my voice to a company that has chosen profit and ideology over the basic safety of children,” reports Breaking News.
Also on Tuesday, the Taoiseach said that the use of AI in this manner was “unacceptable” and potentially unlawful.
Despite those comments, Micheál Martin’s X account has since posted multiple updates, sharing highlights from his visit to China, reports Breaking News.
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