Written answers
Thursday, 13 November 2025
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Artificial Intelligence
James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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60. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the powers he plans to grant to the new National AI Office; the way in which he plans to structure engagement between the office and industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61890/25]
Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the establishment of the AI Office of Ireland is a strategic initiative to act as the central co-ordinating body for the implementation of the EU AI Act in Ireland and to provide a focal point for the promotion and adoption of transparent and safe AI in Ireland, to ensure that we fully capture the strategic opportunity that AI presents.
The newly to be established AI Office of Ireland will act as the central coordinating authority for the AI Act in Ireland and in doing so 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.
- 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.
As part of the commitment under the EU AI Act each Member State must designate a Single Point of Contact. In this regard the Single Point of Contact for Ireland has been established within my Department until the AI office is established. Key functions of this Single Point of Contact will be to streamline coordination between the various Irish regulators, the European Commission, and stakeholders for the AI Act; and deliver an education, engagement and outreach programme with all key stakeholders including industry. A dedicated AI unit within my Department performs this this role on an administrative basis, pending the formal establishment of the statutory body through primary legislation.
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