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

Each will get additional powers under the AI Act to facilitate them in carrying out their current responsibilities for protecting fundamental rights in circumstances where use of AI poses a high risk to those rights.

For example, the authorities will have the power to access documentation that developers and deployers of AI systems are required to hold under the AI Act.

The publication of the list fulfils Ireland’s first obligation for the national implementation of the AI Act.

Dara Calleary, minister of state for trade promotion, digital and company regulation, said: “AI can provide many benefits for our society and our economy. However, AI also comes with certain risks.

“The EU AI Act will have a critical role in addressing these risks and in promoting human-centric, trustworthy AI. It will establish a regulatory framework for the development and use of AI systems to provide a high level of protection to people’s health, safety, and fundamental rights.

“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. The additional powers these authorities will acquire under the AI Act will support them in protecting fundamental rights in circumstances where certain high-risk AI systems are used.”

The list will now be notified to the European Commission. It will also be kept under review by the minister and can be updated at any time to reflect future changes in the national authorities.