Ministers condemn X’s decision not to appear in front of committee

Cabinet members have labelled the decision by X not to attend a communications committee hearing as “concerning”, “disrespectful” and “disappointing”.

Representatives from Meta, TikTok and Google are to appear in front of the Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.

Wednesday’s meeting will focus on the regulation of online platforms and improvements to online safety.

Tech firm X, formerly known as Twitter, will not attend despite calls for it to face questioning about its AI tool Grok, which has been accused of generating images of sexual abuse, including that of children.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting, the Taoiseach said X’s decision not to attend the committee was “concerning”.

Ireland’s Coimisiun na Mean is working with the European Commission on their investigation into the generation of “illegal material”, Micheal Martin said.

Mr Martin added that An Garda Siochana are “also examining the situation” and that “the protection of people will be our priority”.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said he was “disappointed but not surprised” X would not face the committee.

He said: “They can choose not to turn up to a committee today. That’s unhelpful, it’s disrespectful.

“What they can’t do, though, is ignore the fact that the European Commission has now opened an investigation into Grok.

“Social media can no longer operate like the wild west.”

Mr Harris said Irish and European laws would be “enforced without fear or favour”.

James Lawless TD said it was “disappointing they had declined the invitation to appear on front of the committee”.

He pointed out that before Elon Musk’s takeover, and when it was known as Twitter, the company was a “regular attender” of communications committee meetings.

Mr Lawless said it is “regrettable that’s fallen away”.

He noted how in France and Spain “measures” have been taken in the last 48 hours to “go very hard on Grok and, in some cases, instigate prosecutions”.

The minister said the Gardai were “gathering up evidence and putting together files”, adding he “looks forward to the outcome of that”.