Demonstrators led by People Before Profit called for stronger laws to prevent image-based sexual abuse.

Mr Byrne introduced the Bill in the Dáil along with Deputy Naoise O’Cearuil last April.

Meta, which owns Facebook, removed the RTÉ News AI account on Wednesday after being contacted by the Irish Independent.

Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long described such images as “abhorrent behaviour which can have devastating consequences”.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie earlier this month, Maria Walsh said the emergence of an online bank of deepfake images of Irish politicians and public figures highlights the need for urgent action at EU and national levels.

The Channel 4 News presenter became her own ‘case study’ and watched a video where her face was superimposed onto pornography.