Ireland: Technology

As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, cybersecurity concerns are escalating with warnings of increased cyberattacks targeting reputational damage. The National Cyber Security Centre anticipates sophisticated threats, including AI-powered attacks, while businesses face imminent compliance requirements under the NIS 2 Directive.

Ireland has emerged as Europe's leading destination for AI and technology investment, yet a significant readiness gap is emerging across Irish businesses. The third William Fry Technology Report reveals that while 80% of large firms have invested in AI, 70% of businesses overall have yet to do so, and only 11% of large businesses report achieving positive returns on their AI investments.

The European Data Protection Board and European Data Protection Supervisor have issued their Joint Opinion on the European Commission's proposed Cybersecurity Act 2 and amendments to the NIS 2 Directive. While generally supportive of strengthened cybersecurity measures, the opinion emphasizes the need to balance effective security protocols against fundamental rights to privacy and data protection, offering specific recommendations to ensure compliance with EU data protection law.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled on when data controllers can refuse data subject access requests as excessive, even if it's the first request received. This landmark decision examines whether publicly available information about a data subject's intentions can justify refusing access requests, and clarifies the circumstances under which data subjects can claim compensation for GDPR violations.

The European Commission has released draft guidelines clarifying how AI systems should be classified as high-risk under the EU AI Act, while simultaneously extending key compliance deadlines by up to two years. These guidelines provide detailed interpretative guidance on classification thresholds, the role of human oversight, and how complex or interconnected AI systems should be assessed for regulatory purposes.

Ireland's system operators have published a roadmap for implementing hybrid co-located renewable energy sites with shared maximum export capacity, following regulatory approval in April 2024.

The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation on the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), examining whether the EU's crypto-asset framework remains fit for purpose amid accelerating institutional adoption...

On 5 March 2026, the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) published a Discussion Paper (DP12) (PDF 1.4 MB) examining the use of DLT and tokenisation within Irish and European financial services, with a particular focus on investment funds, including money market funds and exchange-traded funds.

The Central Bank of Ireland's latest Financial Stability Review examines intensifying global risks facing the domestic financial system, with particular focus on AI financing developments and their potential market implications. Governor Makhlouf highlights elevated vulnerabilities from Middle East energy supply shocks, AI-related stock valuations, and evolving cybersecurity threats, while emphasizing the accumulated resilience in Ireland's financial system through strong capital buffers and prudent lending