Ireland: Compliance

The Central Bank of Ireland has completed its comprehensive review of delegation practices across the Irish funds sector, examining how fund management companies oversee delegated activities while maintaining regulatory compliance. Through detailed surveys and onsite inspections, the regulator assessed governance frameworks, risk management controls, and data capabilities, identifying both strengths and areas requiring immediate improvement by year-end 2026.

The European Commission has completed its first three-year review of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, revealing significant enforcement activity and stakeholder concerns about administrative burdens.

Ireland's Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019 has reached full implementation with the commencement of section 18(4) on 13 May 2026, introducing new protections for innocent co-insureds affected by criminal or intentional acts of other policyholders. This final provision requires insurers to conduct individual factual assessments of each co-insured's knowledge and consent before applying criminal act exclusions, fundamentally changing how claims involving fraudulent co-insureds are handled.

The Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Act 2026 (Act) was signed into law by the President on 1 July 2026. Although enacted, the Act has not yet been commenced, and will come into operation on dates appointed...

Jennifer Duffy and Aaron Tangney explore Ireland's growing appeal as a regulatory hub for financial services firms, examining the Central Bank's authorisation process and the critical importance of establishing genuine local substance, robust governance frameworks, and experienced management teams when seeking regulatory approval.

The Central Bank of Ireland has introduced significant reforms to the domestic UCITS framework, including new performance fee requirements, enhanced liquidity management tools, and streamlined ETF provisions. These changes, effective July 10, 2026, aim to strengthen Ireland's position as a leading domicile for retail investor products while aligning with European regulatory standards.

The EU's new ESG Ratings Regulation creates significant compliance obligations for fund managers who use, reference, or communicate ESG ratings to investors. Understanding how to distinguish between internal ESG assessment tools and regulated ESG ratings, verify provider authorization status, and update investor-facing materials with required disclosures is now essential for AIFMs and UCITS management companies operating in the European market.

The EU's Cyber Resilience Act introduces mandatory cybersecurity obligations for products with digital elements placed on the EU market. Understanding the five key manufacturer obligations—from secure-by-design requirements to incident reporting deadlines—is essential for compliance with this groundbreaking regulatory framework that elevates cybersecurity from best practice to legal requirement.

The EU Pay Transparency Directive is set to transform workplace practices in Ireland, introducing new obligations around pay disclosure, shifting the burden of proof in equal pay claims, and requiring employers to scrutinize job categorization and pay structures. With Ireland delaying transposition and no draft legislation yet available, organizations face a critical window to prepare for these far-reaching changes before the detailed requirements are finalized.