Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 (Ireland)
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The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 is Ireland's national legislation for implementing and enforcing the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act. It was signed on July 21, 2026 as No. 31 of 2026.[1]
Purpose and scope
The Act provides Ireland's domestic enforcement architecture for the directly applicable EU AI Act. Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment describes it as a technical implementing measure that does not add obligations beyond the EU regulation.[2]
Institutions and enforcement
The Act establishes Oifig IS na hÉireann, the AI Office of Ireland, as an independent statutory body and the central coordinating authority for implementation of the EU AI Act. The Office coordinates Ireland's distributed network of competent authorities, serves as the national single point of contact, supports regulatory cooperation and shared technical expertise, and supports joint investigation and enforcement activity.[2]
Market-surveillance authorities receive powers ranging from compliance notices to prohibition and seizure measures, administrative fines and prosecution, subject to adjudication and court oversight. The Act also enables designated authorities to receive complaints, supervise compliance and enforce sanctions. It amends the Central Bank Act 1942 and the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 so those regulators can use administrative-sanctions procedures for EU AI Act enforcement.[2]
Implementation
Paul Byrne was appointed the first chief executive of the AI Office on July 30, 2026. The Department said the Office was expected to be operational by August 2, 2026 and that further legislation would follow to address additional implementation requirements.[2]
Related coverage
References
- ↑ President of Ireland, 2026 Legislation, listing the Act as No. 31 of 2026 and signed July 21, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, AI Office of Ireland established under the AI Regulation Bill 2026, Paul Byrne appointed as CEO, July 30, 2026.