Controversy over planned Peter Thiel conference at Powerscourt Estate

Controversial billionaire investor Peter Thiel is due to front a conference at Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow in August, with talks including ‘Navigating WWIII’. 

Thiel has used his vast wealth to back right-wing political groups and figures. His company Palantir Technologies, an ‘AI-driven decision’ tech, has been used by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza. 

Thiel, 58, is also a prominent supporter of US president Donald Trump and has donated millions of dollars to his campaigns.

The Ditch was the first Irish outlet to report on Thiel’s ‘Dialog’ conference planning an event at Powerscourt. The report states that the event is due to take place from August 12th – 16th.

Dialog is an extremely secretive organisation that includes government officials, from the US and other countries, tech giants and right-wing influencers.

Other talks at the event reportedly include Build-a-Cult, Build-a-Party, Money (Does?) Buy Happiness and Bring Back Nuclear. 

US outlet Wired has acquired documents belonging to Dialog, including a membership list. The list included Trump administration officials, two US senators, six members of the so-called Paypal Mafia (former founders and early employees who worked at PayPal in the late 1990s and early 2000s), a former Middle East chief of intelligence, a sitting ambassador to the United States, private equity billionaires, television actors and best-selling authors.

Names on the list included Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and an informal White House adviser, US treasurey secretary Scott Bessent, Texas senator Ted Cruz, and political commentator Ezra Klein.

Actress Sophia Bush, controversial music manager Scooter Braun and YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan were also on the list.

Billionaire members included Reid Hoffman and Elon Musk. 

The list is said to include active members of Dialog, those who have attended the organisation’s retreats, and those who plan to attend for the first time at the Powerscourt event in August.

At least six Irish people, including one member of the Oireachtas, have been invited, according to RTÉ. The Prime Time report said Senator Lynn Ruane has received an invitation. 

Ruane has since distanced herself from the Dialog conference. “I thought it was a space where organisers bring people together to discuss difficult topics,” she said.

“In agreeing to attend, I did not maintain my usual standards of due diligence. I take full responsibility for this error of judgement. It has reinforced the importance of thorough scrutiny.”

In a statement issued on Friday, Powerscourt Estate said it would cancel the event if it had the power to do so.

“Within the last 36 hours Powerscourt Estate has, through media coverage, become aware of an event scheduled to take place in August on the premises of Powerscourt Hotel and Spa, a long-standing tenant of the estate.

“The estate wish to unreservedly state that if it was within their remit they would cancel the event planned. However, as they have a legally binding lease with MHL Hotels this is not possible.

“Powerscourt Estate are currently taking legal advice as to whether or not they can affect the planned event. No further comment will be made at this time.”

Opposition TDs have said the event should be cancelled, and called on the Government to take action.

They are using AI to automate the slaughter of Palestinians.

Sinn Féin TD John Brady said: “I do not believe this conference should be taking place anywhere in Ireland.

“Peter Thiel is the co-founder of Palantir, a company that has been central to facilitating Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

“A UN human rights report stated that Palantir has provided defence infrastructure, military software and its artificial intelligence (AI), which allows automated decision-making.

“They are using AI to automate the slaughter of Palestinians.”

He added: “In the middle of the genocide, Palantir also announced a new strategic partnership with Israel, and the company’s leadership has openly defended its role in supporting the Israeli military.

“These are not actions that should be ignored or brushed aside.

“The Irish people have consistently stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people and communities right across the country have demanded meaningful action.

“Against that backdrop, it is entirely inappropriate that Ireland would host an exclusive gathering associated with an individual and a company so closely linked to the genocide in Gaza.”

Brady also called on the Government to “urgently” clarify if any ministers have been invited to attend the conference.

Peter Thiel speaking at Web Summit in Dublin in 2014. Photo: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

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Labour Party foreign affairs spokesperson Duncan Smith said: “Given the prominence of those expected to attend, the public is entitled to know whether any Government representatives have been invited or intend to participate.

“Government must also clarify whether taxpayers will bear any security or other costs associated with the event. Reports indicate that senior US political figures, including the US Treasury Secretary and members of Congress, may be in attendance. Any deployment of State resources should be fully transparent.”

The Dublin Fingal East TD added: “The secrecy surrounding this event only heightens the need for clear answers from Government. The public has a right to know whether Ministers have been invited, whether State agencies are involved in facilitating the conference, and what costs, if any, will fall on the taxpayer.

“Transparency is essential. Government should confirm without delay whether any Ministers have been invited, whether any State agencies are involved in facilitating the event, and whether taxpayers will bear any associated costs.”