Irish Council for Civil Liberties Urges Independent National AI Office

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has urged the Irish government to establish an independent National AI Office with a dedicated budget, commissioner, and technical staff. The organization made the call during its appearance before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence on October 21, 2025.

ICCL representatives, Executive Director Joe O’Brien and Senior Fellow Dr. Kris Shrishak, said the State should provide clear guidance on when and how artificial intelligence or algorithmic systems are used in public services. They recommended creating a central, publicly accessible register listing all algorithmic systems deployed by public bodies.

The group also noted that while the State has designated fifteen AI regulators and nine fundamental rights bodies, these entities have not yet been empowered. ICCL called for adequate technical and financial resources for these institutions to ensure effective enforcement of the EU AI Act.

Dr. Shrishak further proposed forming an advisory group to represent individuals affected by AI deployment and to provide feedback on AI-related harms. ICCL emphasized that existing laws, including the GDPR and product liability rules, continue to apply to AI systems in Ireland.