Ireland Becomes First EU Nation to Detail AI Act Enforcement Framework

Ireland has published the most detailed national plan yet for enforcing the European Union's AI Act, creating a new regulatory body that will likely become the primary AI overseer for some of the world's largest technology companies.The General Scheme of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 establishes Oifig Intleachta Shaorga na hÉireann — the AI Office of Ireland. The move makes Ireland the first EU member state to outline how it will implement and enforce the bloc's landmark AI regulation.The stakes are high. Dublin hosts the European headquarters for Google, Meta, Apple, TikTok, and numerous other US technology firms. Under the EU AI Act, these companies face penalties of up to 35 million euros or 7 percent of global annual turnover for violations.Ireland's approach differs from the centralized enforcement models favored by France and Germany. The Irish plan adopts what officials call a distributed model of competent authorities.The AI Office must be operational by August 1, 2026. That is when the EU AI Act's requirements for high-risk AI systems fully take effect across the bloc.