FF's Byrne steps down as AI Committee Chair after arrest
· RTE.ieFianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne has said that he is stepping down as Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence.
It follows his confirmation that he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving last Thursday.
In a statement, he said that he was stepping down due to the "seriousness" of the mater, and that the decision was "entirely" his own.
"I am stepping down totally without prejudice to the ongoing legal process arising from my arrest on suspicion of drink driving. There is no further movement on this issue.
"Given the seriousness of the matter, my deep respect for my fellow committee members, and despite my strong personal and professional commitment to this area, I believe this is the right course of action to protect the Committee's important work and ensure it can continue without any unnecessary distraction.
"As the garda investigation remains ongoing, and I am cooperating fully with that process, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on that matter at this time," he said.
Mr Byrne said last week that while travelling from his hotel in Dublin to Dublin Airport, he was stopped at a mandatory garda checkpoint in the city centre.
Fianna Fáil confirmed that Mr Byrne informed the party that he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
"That's a very serious issue. The gardaí are pursuing that matter and we await developments on that," Micheál Martin said.
On whether Deputy Byrne would face political punishment if charged, Mr Martin said he would not pre-empt the "full facts."
The Taoiseach confirmed that he had spoken to the Wicklow-Wexford TD over the weekend.
Mr Byrne confirmed that he will remain an active member of the AI Committee, and will fully support the Vice-Chair and any new Chair appointed.
"I look forward to continuing my work as a member of the Committee and to continuing to write and speak about AI," he added.