Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
196. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when national guidance will be issued to Irish businesses on adoption of the EU general-purpose AI code of practice and its accompanying guidelines; and whether a national implementation date has been identified. [72744/25]
View answerUnder the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, the European Commission holds exclusive competency in relation to General Purpose AI (GPAI), including responsibility for supervising and enforcing obligations for providers.
In July 2025 the European Commission published the GPAI Code of Practice and guidelines following extensive stakeholder consultation at EU level, ensuring broad input from industry, civil society, and Member States. The GPAI Code of Practice is a voluntary tool designed to help industry comply with the AI Act’s obligations for providers of general-purpose AI Models.
The guidelines reflect the Commission's interpretation and will guide enforcement. They are designed to help stakeholders across the AI value chain innovate with clarity and confidence and businesses can access the official guidance directly. The guidelines provide clear definitions, including straightforward technical criteria to help developers understand their obligations under the AI Act. They take a pragmatic approach by clarifying that only those making significant modifications to AI models are subject to GPAI provider obligations. Additionally, the guidelines outline conditions under which open-source AI model providers are exempt from certain obligations, supporting transparency and innovation.
My Department actively contributed to the development of these guidelines, drawing on significant expertise and insights gained through the ongoing implementation of the AI Act in Ireland.
Obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models entered into application on 2 August 2025. Providers of GPAI models placed on the market after this date must comply and are encouraged to adhere to the voluntary code of practice to achieve compliance, with support available from the EU AI Office.
From 2 August 2026, the Commission’s enforcement powers will come into effect. From that date, the Commission will have powers to enforce compliance with the obligations for providers of GPAI models, including the application of fines for infringements. By 2 August 2027, providers of GPAI models placed on the market before 2 August 2025 must also achieve compliance.
In respect of guidance for Member States, the European Commission has launched an online Single Information Platform, which provides online interactive tools to help stakeholders determine whether they are subject to legal obligations and understand the steps they need to take to comply. The Platform is part of the AI Act Service Desk, which has been launched as a central initiative to help stakeholders navigate the AI Act requirements. This portal will serve as a key resource for Irish stakeholders seeking clarity on obligations and best practices under the EU framework.
Additionally, the National AI Office of Ireland will be established to act as the central and co-ordinating authority for the EU AI act in Ireland and will be the national Single Point of Contact. Key functions of this Single Point of Contact will be to streamline coordination between the various Irish regulators, the European Commission, and stakeholders for the AI Act and will help to raise awareness and inform all stakeholder groups, to help foster the uptake and adoption of AI.
