Ireland leads the way in AI regulation

16 September 2025

Today, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced in its own words ‘Landmark Progress in AI Act Implementation’. The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, confirmed the designation of 15 National Competent Authorities under the EU AI Act. 

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth, welcomed all 15 newly designated authorities to the National AI Implementation Committee.

A National AI Office will be established by 2 August 2026 to act as the central coordinating authority for the EU AI Act in Ireland. It will:

• Co-ordinate Competent Authority activities to ensure consistent implementation of the EU AI Act;

• Serve as the single point of contact for the EU AI Act;

• Facilitate centralised access to technical expertise by the other competent authorities, as required; and

• Drive AI innovation and adoption through the hosting of a regulatory sandbox, and act as a focal point for AI in Ireland, encompassing regulation, innovation and deployment.

  
  

The following have been designated as national competent authorities for oversight and enforcement of the EU AI Act in Ireland:

• Central Bank of Ireland

• Coimisiún na Meán

• Commission for Communications Regulation

• Commission for Railway Regulation

• Commission for Regulation of Utilities

• Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

• Data Protection Commission

• Health and Safety Authority

• Health Products Regulatory Authority

• Health Services Executive

• Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport

• Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

• Minister for Transport 

• National Transport Authority

• Workplace Relations Commission

  
  

For further details on the announcement see: Ireland Leads the Way in EU AI Regulation - DETE

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