30th July 2026
L-R: Paul Byrne, Minister Peter Burke and Minister of State Niamh Smyth
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth TD have welcomed the appointment of Paul Byrne as the first Chief Executive Officer of Oifig IS na hÉireann (the AI Office of Ireland) established under the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026, which was signed into law by President Connolly on the 21st of July.
The Act establishes Oifig IS na hÉireann (AI Office of Ireland) as an independent statutory body, which will act as Ireland's central coordinating authority for the implementation of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, and is an essential element of Ireland’s preparations for the supervision and enforcement of the EU AI Act.
The EU AI Act, which entered into force in August 2024, with its provisions applying in a phased manner, applies directly across all EU Member States and imposes obligations on providers, deployers and importers of AI systems and models. The Act is a technical implementing measure and does not add to the obligations placed on regulated entities by the EU Regulation.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said,
“The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 is landmark legislation for Ireland’s digital regulatory framework. AI is a transformative technology which offers extraordinary potential for our economy and society but requires appropriate oversight and accountability to ensure people are protected. This legislation delivers on that objective, giving effect in domestic law to pioneering AI regulation which provides a high level of protection for people’s health, safety, and fundamental rights while promoting the adoption of human-centric, trustworthy AI. The establishment of the AI Office of Ireland is a central to our national approach and demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to delivering a digital Ireland that is confident, connected, and inclusive. I am pleased to welcome Paul Byrne into his role as CEO. He brings extensive national and international experience and will provide strong leadership and strategic direction for the Office as its work begins in supporting the implementation of the EU AI Act and fostering human-centric and trustworthy AI.
"As we steer the European Union agenda under the Presidency of the Council of the EU, this Act sends a clear signal that Ireland is committed to a harmonised approach to the adoption of responsible and human-centric AI that fosters innovation and protects our European values.”
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth TD said,
“This legislation is an important milestone in ensuring Ireland continue to benefit from the opportunities that AI presents while making sure our citizens are protected from its harmful effects. The establishment of the AI Office of Ireland gives us an important focal point for AI regulation, innovation, and expertise, further showcasing our absolute commitment to responsible AI development. I would like to congratulate Paul Byrne on his appointment as the first CEO of the AI Office of Ireland. The regulatory and AI experience that Paul brings will be a tremendous asset to the Office as Paul and his team support a coordinated and consistent approach to AI regulation across Ireland's designated competent authorities.
"Ireland is a key player in the global AI ecosystem, home to many of the world's leading foundational AI model providers. AI is already changing how we live, work and do business, and it's crucial that we have the right framework in place to support innovation, build trust and provide effective oversight. With Ireland now holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, this Act strengthens our position as an EU centre of excellence and digital regulatory hub and demonstrates our commitment to online safety and to fostering and promoting innovation through responsible AI both in Ireland and in Europe.”
Paul Byrne, CEO of the AI Office of Ireland said:
“I am honoured to be appointed as CEO of the AI Office of Ireland. As we establish this important independent office, our priority will be to support the effective implementation of the EU AI Act in Ireland. I will work to ensure that innovative AI development can flourish whilst protecting fundamental rights and public confidence in AI. I look forward to working with the public, businesses and regulators to help Ireland harness the benefits of AI in a trusted and responsible way.
"The opportunities presented by AI are significant. The AI Office will play a key role in developing public trust in AI, providing strategic leadership, fostering regulatory cooperation and supporting the responsible adoption of AI across Ireland's economy and society."
Paul Byrne joins the AI Office of Ireland from the Medical Council of Ireland, where he served as Executive Director of Education, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence. He previously served as Executive Director of Regulatory Operations and Support Services. He is the President of the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR), the international alliance of professional and occupational regulators. He is also a member of the World Health Organization’s Expert Working Group on Regulatory Considerations of AI for Health.
His previous regulatory experience includes senior leadership roles at the Medical Council of Ireland and CORU, the regulator for health and social care professionals, and held a number of regulatory and policy roles at the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. He holds a Professional Diploma in Artificial Intelligence from University College Dublin and is the author of the CLEAR Principles for Ethical and Effective AI in Professional Regulation, which support the responsible, transparent and accountable use of AI in regulatory practice.
Notes for editors
The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) entered into force on 1 August 2024. It applies horizontally across all sectors of the economy, both public and private, in a risk-based and proportionate manner. The Act is not a blanket regulation applying to all AI systems. Rather, it adopts a risk-based approach to regulation, based on four risk categories in order to ensure that its measures are targeted and proportionate.
Due to the complexity of the EU AI Act, there are some additional requirements that need to be given effect to, including amendments arising from the Digital Omnibus on AI and further legislation will be brought forward in the Autumn.
The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 aligns with Ireland's commitment to its National Digital and AI Strategy, Digital Ireland — Connecting our People, Securing our Future, which sets out Ireland's ambition to be a global hub for applied AI innovation, underpinned by robust and proportionate regulation.
Key provisions of the Act
The Act is structured in 10 Parts with 139 Sections and 4 Schedules. Its principal provisions are as follows:
- The establishment of Oifig IS na hÉireann (AI Office of Ireland) as an independent statutory entity.
- Provides Market Surveillance Authorities (MSAs) with a structured, proportionate enforcement toolkit, progressing from cooperative compliance (notices) to coercive measures (prohibition, seizure) and ultimately formal sanctions (fines and prosecution), with independent adjudication and court oversight built into the system throughout.
- Empowers MSAs to receive complaints, cooperate, supervise, impose and enforce administrative sanctions, including laying out rules for penalties and other enforcement measures for non-compliance for the purposes of the AI Act.
- Amends the Central Bank Act 1942 and Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 to enable these to impose administrative sanctions for the purpose of the AI Act
- Further information on the national implementation is available here.
The AI Office of Ireland
The AI Office of Ireland is an independent statutory body established under the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 and will act as the central coordinating body for the implementation of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act in Ireland.
The establishment of the AI Office, subsequent to commencement of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026, is a key part of Ireland’s digital strategy. To meet Ireland’s obligations under the EU AI Act we have elected for a distributed model of regulation to leverage off Ireland’s existing regulatory experience. The Office will coordinate the activities of relevant competent authorities to encourage consistent implementation and supervision of the EU AI Act, facilitate cooperation and information sharing between them and support the joint investigation and enforcement activities of those authorities. The Office will:
- Act as the Single Point of Contact for the EU AI Act for the European Commission, national sectoral regulators and the public;
- Develop a consistent regulatory framework for the implementation of the EU AI Act, an Regulation of AI Act 2026.
- Facilitate centralised access to technical expertise for other competent authorities, as required; and
- Drive AI innovation and adoption.
The Office is expected to be operational by 2 August 2026 and will provide strategic governance in relation to the AI Act while facilitating a coordinated and consistent regulatory approach across Ireland's designated competent authorities.
ENDS
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