Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 (No. 31 of 2026) + S.I. No. 366/2025 (authority designations) + EU AI Act

Summary

Ireland uses a distributed model: existing sectoral regulators supervise the AI Act in their domains, coordinated by a new central body. S.I. No. 366/2025 designated national competent authorities and market surveillance authorities, including the Central Bank of Ireland (for AI used by financial institutions under Article 74(6)) and the Data Protection Commission (Article 74(8)). The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 establishes Oifig IS na hÉireann (the AI Office of Ireland) as an independent statutory body and central coordinating authority, gives market surveillance authorities an enforcement toolkit from notices to fines and prosecution, and lets the Central Bank use its existing administrative sanctions procedure for AI Act breaches. The Bill was initiated on June 19, 2026, and signed into law on July 21, 2026.

Key dates

1. July 21, 2026Key date
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. 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.

   Supports: AI Office as central coordinating authority

   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.

   Supports: Central Bank sanctions route

   Ministers welcome publication of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Primary source

2. The General Scheme gives further effect to the Government Decisions of 4 March 2025 and 22 July 2025, approving that Ireland will adopt a distributed model of competent authorities for the AI Act

   Supports: Distributed model

   General Scheme of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Primary source

3. Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 – No. 31 of 2026

   Supports: Act number

   The Bill has been signed into law by the President.

   Supports: Enacted

   21 Jul 2026 – Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 – (PDF)

   Supports: Act dated July 21, 2026

   19 Jun 2026 – As initiated – Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 – (PDF)

   Supports: Bill initiated June 19, 2026

   Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2026 – No. 31 of 2026 Houses of the Oireachtas Primary source

4. 4. (1) The Central Bank of Ireland is designated as the market surveillance authority for the purposes of Article 74(6).

   Supports: Central Bank designation

   “Iris Oifigiúil” of 29 th July, 2025.

   Supports: S.I. notice date

   S.I. No. 366/2025 – European Union (Artificial Intelligence) (Designation) Regulations 2025 Irish Statute Book (Office of the Attorney General) Primary source