Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the national implementation of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. [30032/24]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Artificial Intelligence Act will enter into force on 1 August 2024. The various measures in the Act will start to apply, in a phased manner, over the subsequent 36 months.

The Act will provide a high level of protection for people’s health and safety, and their fundamental rights, while simultaneously promoting the responsible development and adoption of trustworthy AI.

The Act will establish a sophisticated governance and implementation structure at both national and EU level to ensure robust and harmonised implementation of the regulations in the Act. This includes the creation of a European Artificial Intelligence Board, which met informally in June and will meet formally in September, once the Act has entered into force. My Department represents Ireland on the AI Board.

The European Commission has established the European Artificial Intelligence Office, which will work closely with the Board and the Member States. It will develop guidelines and codes of practice over the next 12 months to support the uniform application of the Act across the EU.

Within twelve months of entry into force of the Act, Member States will be obliged to designate the national competent authorities that will be responsible for implementing and enforcing the Act.

My Department has lead responsibility for national implementation of the Act, and I am committed to the robust and comprehensive implementation of the Act in Ireland.

My officials are currently assessing the optimal national configuration of competent authorities for efficient and effective enforcement of the provisions of the Act. Consultations on the national implementation are ongoing with other Government Departments and relevant public bodies.

My Department has launched a public consultation on the implementation of the EU AI Act in Ireland, which will is open until 16 July. Information on how to make a submission is available on the Department’s website.