Niamh Smyth, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment:
It is the first occasion there has been a Minister designated with the portfolio concerning AI. Minister Smyth is leading a significant body of work to provide targeted support, training and advice to Irish enterprises, driving the adoption and deployment of AI systems across all business and industry sectors.
Minister Smyth is also spearheading new legislation, the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill, which will designate the regulators responsible for implementing and enforcing the EU AI Act in Ireland, and establish the penalties organisations may face for non-compliance.
First elected to local government in 2009, Minister Smyth has been a member of Dáil Éireann since 2016, having been returned by her constituents on three successive occasions. She was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise in February 2025. Prior to her ministerial appointment, Minister Smyth served as Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, where she chaired the high profile investigation into payments at RTÉ, Ireland's public service broadcaster. In that role, she was also a passionate advocate for Ireland's rich cultural heritage, championing the traditions, beliefs and shared experiences that connect communities across the island of Ireland.
Adrienne O'Sullivan, CEO, ARAG:
On 1st April thirty years ago, Adrienne O’Sullivan introduced a new insurance concept to Ireland - legal expenses insurance. This marked the beginning of a transformative development in the Irish insurance market, bringing accessible legal protection products to individuals and businesses, and laying the foundation for what has become a well-established and essential insurance offering today.
Adrienne O’Sullivan, ACII, is a Chartered Insurer, Certified Insurance Director and holds a Diploma in Legal Studies. She is Chief Executive Officer of ARAG Legal Protection Limited, based in Dublin, where she is responsible for the company’s strategic direction and profitable growth. She also serves as Country Manager for ARAG in Ireland, part of the wider ARAG Group, a global legal protection insurer operating in 19 countries.
An active contributor to the insurance profession, Adrienne has held several leadership roles within the Insurance Institute, including President of the Insurance Institute of Dublin. In 2009, she became the first woman elected President of the Insurance Institute of Ireland in its 125-year history.
She has held various board positions across educational, charitable and healthcare organisations, and was an active Council Member of RIAD, the International Association of Legal Protection Insurers, until 2019. In recognition of her significant contribution to the industry, Adrienne was awarded the Institutes President’s Prize in 2018.