Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
207. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the key measures taken in the area of artificial intelligence during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73150/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland is a leader in the digital economy and artificial intelligence and recognise that harnessing the potential of AI and digital technologies more broadly, is vital to maintaining our competitiveness.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to harness the digital and AI revolution to deliver effective and modern public services and to grow the economy.
As the Deputy will be aware, the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) entered into force in August 2024 and establishes a harmonised regulatory framework for AI systems developed or deployed in the EU. Its provisions will apply in a phased manner through to August 2027. Implementing the EU AI Act will put in place guardrails to protect against the risks that are associated with AI, in a proportionate manner. This will help to provide legal certainty for businesses and will also help foster innovation.
Ireland is making very good progress on the implementation of the AI Act and has met its obligations that have come into effect up to this point in time.
In November 2024, Government agreed a list of nine national public authorities which protect fundamental rights, as specified in the Act.
Ireland has adopted a distributed model for implementation, which recognises the capability that is within our regulatory system. Businesses can continue to work with regulators who understand their specific industries, which will make compliance easier for them. On that basis, in July of this year, Ireland has designated fifteen national competent authorities, a combination of Market Surveillance Authorities and Notifying Authorities, responsible for the supervision and enforcement of the regulation and a Single Point of Contact for the purposes of the AI Act.
My officials are currently preparing the requisite legislation to ensure that the competent authorities have all necessary powers for the supervision and enforcement of this AI Regulation. This legislation will also establish, on a statutory basis, the AI Office of Ireland, to provide the necessary coordination functions and Single Point of Contact functions. We expect this legislation to be enacted by the August 2026 deadline.
Ahead of the legislation, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is acting as Ireland’s Single Point of Contact on an interim basis.
The new AI office of Ireland will act as the central coordinating body for EU AI Act and provide a focal point for the promotion and adoption of transparent and safe AI in Ireland, to ensure that we fully capture the strategic opportunity that AI presents. This office will help facilitate coordination among regulators, while the enforcement of the AI Act remains the responsibility of the designated, sectoral regulators. The AI Office of Ireland will also be responsible for ensuring competent authorities establish a national AI regulatory sandbox.
The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to update the National Digital and AI Strategy, bringing together digital policy and regulatory responsibilities. This updated strategy will be published in 2026 and will set out Ireland’s vision for Digital and AI across government, to ensure continued growth and investment over the coming years.
