Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
481. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the establishment of the national AI office, including any efforts being made to ensure adequate parliamentary scrutiny and oversight of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30950/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has adopted a distributed model of regulation to meet Ireland's obligations under the EU AI Act, with the AI Office of Ireland at the central co-ordinating body under this model.
The AI Office of Ireland will provide the strategic governance with respect to the AI Act and facilitate the efficient, consistent, and coordinated interpretation and implementation of the AI Act in cooperation with the designated national Competent Authorities. The AI Office will also act as the Single Point of Contact for the EU Commission, the Market Surveillance and Notifying Authorities, and for the public; host a panel of technical expertise; and become a focal point for AI innovation in Ireland.
My Department is actively working with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the priority drafting of domestic legislation that will provide for the implementation and enforcement of the EU AI Act at national level, including the establishment of the AI Office of Ireland. The AI Office will be established an independent statutory entity with an independent Board and a Chief Executive Officer, both appointed through an open and transparent Public Appointments Service process.
The statutory status and governance structure of the AI Office of Ireland reflects that of established regulatory bodies and is in line with the Government’s Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The AI Office will be required to prepare a statement of strategy, annual work programmes and annual reports. Its accounts will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General with the CEO accountable to the Public Accounts Committee and other Oireachtas Committees as required.
€1.5 million has been allocated to the start-up phase of the AI Office in 2026. Key personnel have been recruited with further recruitment ongoing, and work is underway on ensuring the required systems and processes are in place for operation of the AI Office from August of this year. Further resourcing will be addressed as part of the ongoing budget 2027 process to ensure the AI Office is appropriately resourced to align with its increasing responsibilities beyond the start-up phase in 2026. The distributed model approach also leverages the resources and expertise of the designated competent authorities, which are well established, experienced, independent regulators of scale.
