Ireland: Announced Minister of State for Trade Promotion order on designation of authorities for protecting fundamental rights under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act

On 31 October 2024, the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation announced a list of nine national public authorities responsible for protecting fundamental rights through regulations provided in the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. These authorities will receive additional powers under the AI Act, enabling them to protect fundamental rights in cases where the use of AI may endanger those rights. The authorities will have the power to access documentation that AI system developers and deployers are required to hold under the EU AI Act. The authorities include the Electoral Commission, the Media Regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children, and the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. The authorities will not serve as competent authorities under the Act. Specifically, they will gain additional powers to support their existing mandates in cases involving AI systems. These powers will take effect from 2 August 2026.