Meeting with tech giants is a matter of public record -Troy

Minister of State Robert Troy says that the government was not trying to hide a recent meeting he held with tech firms to discuss Ireland’s position on new EU legislation that will have a major impact on how digital companies operate.

Representatives from tech companies such as Google, Amazon and Facebook, as well as from indigenous firms, were invited to an online “roundtable” meeting with Minister Troy in September to discuss the government position on the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to ensure there will be a higher level of competition in the digital markets, and the Digital Services Act (DSA), which proposes to create a safer digital space for users.

The Sunday Business Post reported at the weekend that no detailed notes were taken at the online meeting following a request by the IDA on behalf of the tech firms. The report said that the request was made due to concerns that the records would be subject to Freedom of Information requests.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Minister Troy said that it would be “inaccurate” and “unfair” to suggest that this meeting was hidden from the public.

“We did publish the fact that this meeting was taking place. We were not trying to hide this meeting, it was published as a matter of record.”

He also said that the government will hold a similar roundtable meeting with members of civil society and that the governments position on both the DSA and DMA “is a matter of public record”.