1 minute read / June 1, 2026
A SELF-DRIVING CARS national strategy is currently being developed by the government to allow the vehicles to be used on Irish roads.
According to Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien, the strategy is being worked on in close collaboration with multiple key stakeholders including representatives of local authorities, the Road Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the gardaí. It was recently reported that the government is in talks with Tesla about allowing self-driving cars on Irish roads.
It’s part of the company’s efforts to roll out its high-tech vehicles to the European market.
While Level 2 systems are already used in some EU countries, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) car has Level 2+ software, which means the driver can remove their hands from the wheel while on the road.
O’Brien also said his department is currently transposing an EU directive to help create an infrastructural and data sharing framework which will further facilitate the safe rollout of connected and automated vehicles.
