The Government has been urged to cut through complex regulatory requirements facing Ireland’s technology sector, amid growing concerns that the current framework risks undermining innovation and competitiveness.
In its pre-budget submission, Technology Ireland — the Ibec group representing the country’s technology industry — warned that overlapping EU rules on digital services and artificial intelligence are creating heavy compliance burdens, particularly for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“This risks stifling innovation and eroding Ireland and Europe’s competitiveness in the global tech race,” the group said. “There is a growing need for simplification, coherence, and predictability in how these rules are implemented and interpreted across Member States.”
As one of Europe’s leading technology hubs, Ireland has a “strategic interest” in pushing for a more innovation-friendly environment at EU level, Technology Ireland added. While the group said it fully supports measures to enhance online safety, it argued that the Government’s current approach often goes beyond the spirit of EU law, leaving businesses struggling with fragmented or delayed rule implementation.
“National law which fragments and creates a patchwork of EU frameworks or delays the implementation of rules risks Ireland’s reputation as a trusted regulatory partner in the EU,” it said.
The organisation also called for regulators to take greater account of the broader economic consequences of their decisions, ensuring that competitiveness and public interest are balanced when new measures are introduced.
Alongside its appeal for regulatory clarity, Technology Ireland is pushing for stronger investment in skills and workforce training, particularly in artificial intelligence. It urged the Government to make strategic use of the National Training Fund to provide large-scale programmes that will equip workers with advanced digital capabilities.
The group further pressed for the swift implementation of Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy, describing it as essential to securing Ireland’s position in critical technologies.
“As we look toward 2030, the next five years will be pivotal for Ireland and the global economy,” said Una Fitzpatrick, Director of Technology Ireland. “Investment in skills and innovation is not a discretionary spend — it is a national imperative. The National Training Fund is employers’ money, collected to invest directly in workforce transformation. Using it strategically is key to unlocking Ireland’s AI-enabled future.”
The call comes as Ireland faces intensifying global competition for investment in technology and advanced industries. With Europe pressing ahead on wide-ranging digital and AI regulation, industry leaders fear that without reforms to ease compliance and boost innovation, Ireland’s hard-won reputation as a top destination for tech could be at risk.
