AI office to be central authority for EU act
The Government has now designated 15 competent authorities under the EU’s and has announced plans to set up a National AI Office.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said that the new office, to be established by 2 August 2026, would act as the central co-ordinating authority for the act in Ireland.
The office’s functions are to:
- Co-ordinate the activities of competent authorities to ensure consistent implementation of the act,
- Serve as the single point of contact for the act,
- Facilitate centralised access to technical expertise by the other competent authorities, as required, and
- Lead AI innovation and adoption through the hosting of a regulatory sandbox and act as a focal point for AI in Ireland.
The 15 designated authorities attended a meeting of the National AI Implementation Committee yesterday (16 September).
The 15 bodies, who will oversee and enforce the EU legislation in their sector, are:
- Central Bank of Ireland,
- Coimisiún na Meán,
- Commission for Communications Regulation,
- Commission for Railway Regulation,
- Commission for Regulation of Utilities,
- Competition and Consumer Protection Commission,
- Data Protection Commission,
- Health and Safety Authority,
- Health Products Regulatory Authority,
- Health Services Executive,
- Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport,
- Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment,
- Minister for Transport,
- National Transport Authority, and
- Workplace Relations Commission.
Rights
The Government had already separately designated nine public bodies that will be responsible for protecting rights specified under the AI Act.
These nine authorities will receive additional powers under the act to help them to carry out their responsibilities for protecting fundamental rights in circumstances where use of AI poses a high risk to those rights.
“Ireland’s ambition is to lead globally in AI adoption, anchored in collaboration, ethical standards and proportionate regulation,” said Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Peter Burke.