Ireland's EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has launched the so-called Democracy Shield, the European Union’s latest effort to combat electoral disinformation and interference, including the rise in AI deep fakes.
The initiative will include the creation of a Centre for Democratic Resilience to act as a hub for a range of EU expertise, designed to allow member states - particularly those with fewer resources - to respond more quickly to disinformation which threatens to disrupt the final stages of an election.
In an interview with RTÉ News, Mr McGrath warned that Russian electoral interference had become more intense and coordinated, and better resourced, with technology evolving at a faster rate.
He said: "It has opened up opportunities and potential for interference in all elections in the European Union. If you take, for example, the issue of deep fake AI videos, which are becoming better and better quality as time goes on, they have the potential to really impact on elections in the last 24-48 hours [of the campaign"].
Mr McGrath told a news conference that the new centre will be open to EU candidate countries.
"The reality is that as they get closer to EU membership, the intensity of the threat that they face in terms of foreign interference is only going to grow. We know that that's a reality, and therefore our response has to grow in tandem and match it."
The centre will link existing networks and structures, including a Rapid Alert System operated by the EU’s diplomatic arm.
There will also be a platform within the centre to "facilitate dialogue with trusted stakeholders such as civil society organisations, researchers and academia, fact-checkers and media providers," according to a statement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Democracy Shield would "reinforce the core elements that allow citizens to live our shared democratic values every day - free speech, independent media, resilient institutions, and a vibrant civil society."
Mr McGrath said legislation would evolve in order to adapt to the speed of digital innovations, especially in the AI space.
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU is in the middle of a two year investigation into X on its alleged failure to prevent wholesale disinformation circulating on its platform, in particular when it comes to so-called dark patterns, advertising transparency and data access for researchers.
Henna Virkunen, the EU's commissioner for tech sovereignty, said she hoped the investigation into X would conclude shortly.
Asked if the Democracy Shield would deepen conflict with the Trump administration, which has accused the EU of engaging in censorship, Mr McGrath said: "Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every EU citizen, and what we are providing for today in this shield is a framework that will ensure that that freedom of expression is fully protected…and that people should have the right to be able to vote in open, free and fair elections."
Asked about an Italian journalist, who was recently fired by his employer after asking a question about Israel paying for the reconstruction of Gaza at a commission news briefing, Mr McGrath said: "The freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of our democracy within the European Union that journalists should be allowed to do their job without any fear and to engage in the democratic process, holding us to account and others in position of authority to account at all times."
McGrath strongly defends Taoiseach after 'very difficult few weeks'
Earlier, Mr McGrath strongly defended Micheál Martin and said he would be providing leadership during Ireland’s EU presidency in the second half of next year "and beyond".
During a briefing with Irish journalists in Brussels, Mr McGrath was asked if he believed Mr Martin would still be Taoiseach during the Irish presidency, following the controversy over Jim Gavin’s nomination for president.
Mr McGrath said it had been a "very difficult few weeks for him and indeed for his family as well".
He added: "I have full faith in his resilience and his ability to come through this period. He has an extraordinary level of experience and knowledge.
"The EU presidency is an important moment for Ireland. It comes around every 13 years or so, it will come at a crucial time in the negotiation of the next EU budget, the advancing of the work we're doing on security and defence, but also a number of files on competitiveness."
Mr McGrath, who was nominated by the Taoiseach to be Ireland’s Commissioner in 2024, said although he was no longer a member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, he still took "active interest" in all the issues.
He said the controversy had resulted in "very limited choice for the voters" when it came to the presidential election.
The Fianna Fáil party would conclude a review of the issue shortly and "lessons will be learned".
Mr McGrath added: "That episode doesn't undo 14 years of very strong leadership and delivery by Micheál Martin as leader of the party.
"I had the great honour of working with him very closely for most of that time and I think he will know himself when it is time to depart.
"I don't anticipate that that will be anytime soon. I would certainly expect him to provide the leadership over the period ahead that the country will need in the context of the EU presidency and beyond."
