No Additional Funding Provided to Bodies Gaining AI Regulation Powers
As the implementation of the EU AI Act approaches, concerns are rising regarding the lack of financial resources allocated to the nine public bodies that will be granted new enforcement powers. A recent survey conducted by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) reveals that these authorities have yet to receive any additional funding, despite their upcoming responsibilities expected to commence in August 2026.
Public Authorities Involved
The nine organisations set to gain these new powers include:
- 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
- The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces
Out of these, all but two — An Coimisiún Toghcháin and the Data Protection Commission — responded to the ICCL’s inquiry, indicating a consistent trend of insufficient funding.
Concerns Raised
Many of these authorities reported receiving messages indicating that the government does not plan to provide any additional resources. This raises significant concerns about their ability to fulfill their new mandates effectively. A senior fellow with the ICCL has expressed that “without additional resources, fundamental rights bodies like the Ombudsman for Children and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission could find themselves unable to protect people from AI-related harms.”
Need for Expertise
The introduction of new powers and responsibilities necessitates a deep technical understanding of AI and the AI Act. It has been noted that currently, none of the fundamental rights bodies, except the Data Protection Commission, possess the necessary expertise in this area. The challenges of training and upskilling existing staff are exacerbated by their current workloads across other responsibilities.
Call to Action
The ICCL emphasizes the urgent need for the government to take the implementation of the AI Act seriously. It is imperative that these bodies are adequately resourced, ensuring they are prepared to utilize their powers effectively from the outset.
As the landscape of AI regulation evolves, the allocation of resources and expertise to these fundamental rights bodies will be critical in safeguarding citizens against potential AI-related harms.
