New Bill Gives Full Effect to EU AI Act

Ireland’s Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 is designed to give full domestic effect to the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. The Bill establishes the legislative, regulatory, and institutional architecture required for Ireland to supervise, enforce, and support the safe deployment of AI systems across society and the economy.

AI Office of Ireland to Lead Regulation

The Bill creates a new statutory body, the Oifig Intleachta Shaorga na hÉireann (AI Office of Ireland). The AI Office of Ireland must be operational by 1 August 2026 to fulfil the deadlines set out in the AI Act.

The AI Office of Ireland will be a Market Surveillance Authority in its own right and will act as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) and central coordinating authority for AI regulation in the State.

Distributed Model Across 13 Market Surveillance Authorities

Under the regulatory framework, 13 Market Surveillance Authorities will supervise different classes of AI systems. The distributed regulatory model was endorsed by Government Decisions of 4 March 2025 and 22 July 2025.

Key sector supervisors include:

  • The Health Products Regulatory Authority will supervise AI in medical devices
  • The Central Bank of Ireland will supervise AI used by regulated financial service providers

Enforcement Powers and Compliance Mechanisms

Market Surveillance Authorities will have robust enforcement capabilities:

  • Powers to conduct unannounced inspections and remote audits of AI systems
  • Powers to require access to technical documentation, datasets, and where necessary, source code
  • Powers to order withdrawal, recall, or market prohibition of non-compliant AI systems

The Bill provides multiple compliance levers:

  • Contravention notices directing operators to remedy breaches of AI regulations
  • Prohibition notices preventing placing or making AI systems available on the market
  • High Court applications for mandatory compliance orders on AI regulation breaches
  • A full Administrative Sanctions Procedure featuring adjudicators, appeals mechanisms, settlements, and commitments

The Central Bank of Ireland is exempt from the general sanctions regime under the Bill and will apply its existing powers under the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended).

Coordination and Support Infrastructure

A Cooperation Forum is mandated to meet at least quarterly to support consistent regulation and avoid fragmentation across sectors.

The AI Office must ensure the establishment of a national AI regulatory sandbox with priority access for SMEs and start-ups, free of charge. The Data Protection Commission will oversee regulatory sandbox activities involving personal data.

Data Sharing and Public Transparency

MSAs and the AI Office are permitted to share personal data on a strictly necessary and proportionate basis with An Garda Síochána, the European Commission, and Fundamental Rights Authorities.

A National Register of prohibited AI practices and high-risk systems will be maintained to support monitoring and public visibility.

Source: Irish Computer Society