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Nine bodies to supervise EU’s AI Act

The Government has designated the nine public bodies that will be responsible for protecting rights specified under the EU's AI Act.

The act, which entered into force in August, provides a harmonised regulatory framework for AI systems developed or deployed in the EU.

It had set a deadline of 2 November for national governments to identify public authorities that would supervise or enforce the respect of obligations under the act.

The list of bodies was published today (31 October) by Dara Calleary, the minister responsible for digital and company regulation.

Documentation

The nine authorities are:

• An Coimisiún Toghcháin,
• Coimisiún na Meán,
• Data Protection Commission,
• Environmental Protection Agency,
• Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman,
• Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission,
• Ombudsman,
• Ombudsman for Children, and
• Ombudsman for the Defence Forces.

These authorities will receive additional powers under the AI Act to help them to carry out their responsibilities for protecting fundamental rights in circumstances where use of AI poses a high risk to those rights. 

Among these is the power to access documentation that developers and deployers of AI systems are required to hold under the act.

The additional powers will apply from 2 August 2026. 

The list of bodies can be updated at any time.

“The Government is committed to comprehensive and effective implementation of the AI Act and the publication of this list is an important first step in this regard,” said Minister Calleary.