Ireland’s Department of Finance has announced new arrangements allowing investigative journalists, civil society organisations, academics and other eligible applicants to seek access to specified beneficial ownership information. Applicants must demonstrate a qualifying legitimate interest to obtain information identifying the individuals who ultimately own or control companies, trusts and certain financial vehicles, including through layers of legal structures.
The regulations specifically recognise journalists, civil society organisations and academics acting for purposes connected with preventing or combating money laundering, associated predicate offences or terrorist financing. Applicants must identify the entity or legal arrangement concerned and provide supporting evidence of their legitimate interest. The relevant registrar determines whether the statutory access conditions have been met. Access is not unrestricted, and safeguards remain in place to protect personal information.
The arrangements implement access provisions of the European Union’s Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, which were transposed into Irish law earlier in 2026. They cover the beneficial ownership registers for companies and industrial and provident societies, trusts, and certain financial vehicles.