Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
67. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps being taken to prepare for the implementation of the Digital Omnibus on AI, including how national planning is being aligned with the EU level timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35414/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for the question and welcome the opportunity to provide an update on the steps being taken to prepare for the implementation of the Digital Omnibus on AI.
The AI Act entered into force on 1 August 2024. It follows a staggered entry into application, with some parts already applicable such as certain prohibitions, AI literacy, and rules for general-purpose AI models. This progressive roll-out allows the Commission to build on the experience gathered in applying the first part of the rules. Stakeholder consultations throughout 2025 revealed implementation challenges that needed to be addressed so that the AI Act can be successfully rolled-out. The Digital Omnibus on AI introduces targeted amendments to address practical implementation challenges identified by stakeholders. These changes are designed to:
• increase legal certainty for businesses, regulators and citizens
• reduce compliance costs and administrative burdens
• support innovation while maintaining strong safeguards
On 7 May 2026, provisional agreement was reached between the Council presidency and European Parliament negotiators on a proposal to streamline certain rules regarding AI. This must be now endorsed by the Council and the European Parliament before being submitted to a legal/linguistic revision with a view to the formal adoption of the legislative act by the co-legislators in the coming weeks.
The political agreement reached on the AI Omnibus gives clarity on the timeline for the rules governing high-risk AI systems. Rules for systems used in certain high-risk areas, including biometrics, critical infrastructure, education, employment, migration, asylum and border control, will apply from 2 December 2027. For systems integrated into products such as lifts or toys, the rules will apply from 2 August 2028. This sequencing will help ensure that technical standards and other support tools are in place before the rules start to apply.
The Agreement reached also explicitly prohibits the AI-generated production of non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material. Ireland, alongside fellow Member States, was a strong advocate for this vital protection.
The EU AI Act is a regulation and has direct legal effect in EU member states. National implementing measures are however required to help operationalise the regulatory system that provides the supervision and enforcement of the AI Act's obligations. The expected adoption of the Digital Omnibus will give additional time for businesses and competent authorities to make the necessary provisions meet their respective obligations under certain aspects of the AI Act.
The General Scheme gives further effect to the Government Decisions of 4 March 2025 and 22 July 2025, approving that Ireland will adopt a distributed model of competent authorities for the AI Act, leveraging established sectoral regulatory authorities, with a designated central authority to provide coordination and a number of centralised functions.
The General Scheme of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 proposes to establish a new statutory independent body, the AI Office of Ireland, under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, to act as the Single Point of Contact and central coordinating authority for the implementation and enforcement of the EU AI Act in the State. It also provides for the empowerment of Competent Authorities, and rules on penalties for infringement of the Act.
Once it is available, my officials will evaluate the final text of the provisionally agreed Digital Omnibus on AI and will consider its implications on my Department’s ongoing work on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill and with national competent authorities through the national implementation committee for the AI Act.
