17th June 2026
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth have welcomed the Government’s approval to publish the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026.
The Bill, once enacted, will give effect in Ireland to the EU Artificial Intelligence Act — Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, establishing the domestic enforcement architecture necessary to ensure the world's first comprehensive AI regulatory framework operates fully and effectively in this State. The Bill 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 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 Bill 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 said,
“The publication of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 is a landmark moment for Ireland's digital regulatory framework. AI is a transformative technology which offers extraordinary potential for our economy and citizens, but requires appropriate oversight and accountability to ensure people are protected.
"This Bill delivers this approach. It fulfils Ireland's EU obligations, giving effect to pioneering AI regulation in domestic law, while ensuring we have the national infrastructure to enforce it effectively. The Bill establishes the AI Office of Ireland as a strong, independent institution at the centre of our AI regulatory system and empowers our Competent Authorities with the investigative and sanctions tools they need.
"As Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU, this Bill sends a clear signal that Ireland is committed to responsible and human-centric AI innovation that fosters innovation and defends the rights of its citizens. I am very pleased to bring this Bill to the Oireachtas, and I look forward to its swift passage through the Houses.”
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth said,
“This Bill is about more than regulation. It is about building the institutional foundations for a future in which AI works for people, ethically, transparently and accountably. The establishment of the AI Office of Ireland will give us a world-class focal point for AI regulation, innovation, and expertise. Ireland is a key player in the global AI ecosystem, home to many of the world's leading foundational AI model providers.
"As Ireland prepares to start its Presidency of the Council of the EU, meeting our obligations under the AI Act will strengthen our position as an EU centre of excellence and digital regulatory hub and demonstrate our commitment to online safety and to fostering and promoting responsible AI innovation and adoption both in Ireland and in Europe.”
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 Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 reflects 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 Bill
The Bill is structured in 10 Parts with 139 Sections and 4 Schedules. Its principal provisions are as follows:
- Key provisions of the Bill include:
- The establishment of Oifig IS na hÉireann (AI Office of Ireland) as an independent statutory entity.
- Providing 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.
- This empowers national competent authorities that are designated as MSAs for the purposes of the AI Act, to receive complaints, cooperate, supervise, impose and enforce administrative sanctions, including laying out rules for penalties and other enforcement measures for non-compliance.
- The Bill includes a general administrative sanctions regime available to be utilised by all MSAs that have been designated from Ireland’s distributed model under the AI Act.
- There are provisions to enable the Central Bank to use its existing administrative sanctions procedures for the AI Act via amendments to the Central Bank Act 1942.
- And the CCPC is introducing a new general administrative sanctions procedure, through amendments to the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014, to which the AI Act is being added. This will allow the CCPC to apply this administrative sanction regime in their role as MSA under the AI Act.
Further information on the national implementation is available here.
ENDS
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