Ireland: IT and Internet

The EU Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory vulnerability and incident reporting obligations for products with digital elements starting September 2026. Economic operators developing, importing, or distributing such products in the EU face strict compliance deadlines, substantial penalties for non-compliance, and must implement security-by-design principles throughout product lifecycles.

Two recent CJEU cases demonstrate how geo-blocking intersects with intellectual property rights in the digital age. The Anne Frank diary case clarifies when geo-blocking can prevent copyright infringement claims, while the PAUSCHA trade mark dispute questions whether domain names can infringe national trade marks when websites are geo-blocked from protected territories.

Ireland's National Cyber Security Centre has issued comprehensive guidance on NIS2 compliance, placing cybersecurity firmly in the boardroom. With potential fines reaching €10 million or 2% of global turnover for essential entities, management boards must now actively oversee cyber risk strategies, incident response capabilities, and supply chain vulnerabilities. The guidance provides a structured framework for organisations to assess their readiness before the National Cyber Security Bill takes effec

The European Union's Product Liability Directive, unchanged for four decades, is undergoing a comprehensive transformation to address modern challenges including digital products, AI systems, and global supply chains.

Colin Rooney and Michael Egan explore how generative AI is transforming legal services, from accelerating document review in cyber incidents and DSARs to creating scalable solutions for Data Protection Impact Assessments.

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 NBP is the largest infrastructural project in rural Ireland since rural electrification, spanning 96% of Ireland's land mass. It is supplying fast, reliable broadband by laying 140,000...

The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) aims to harmonise accessibility requirements across the EU to ensure that certain products and services are accessible to all, particularly those with disabilities.

The issuance of these voluntary requests is timely as providers are in the early stages of embedding compliance with the DSA.