Central Bank of Ireland sets out integrated consumer and investor protection supervision and plans complaint-handling review ahead of updated Consumer Protection Code

In a speech to the Financial Services Ireland Chief Executive Roundtable, Deputy Governor Colm Kincaid outlined how the Central Bank of Ireland is strengthening consumer and investor protection through a new integrated supervisory model, implementation of recommendations from the OECD review of its consumer protection approach, and rollout of a modernised Consumer Protection Code in early 2026. The agenda includes a review of how regulated firms handle customer complaints, intended to raise standards before the revised Code takes effect. Kincaid also highlighted continued work to improve consumers’ and investors’ protection against frauds and scams, including using the Central Bank’s status as a Trusted Flagger to require online platforms to remove criminal content, alongside detection and enforcement against unauthorised providers and market abuse. Further priorities include supporting the Government’s National Financial Literacy Strategy and Action Plan on Insurance Reform, improving how investors access capital markets, and exploring how digital innovation can support users of financial services via the Central Bank’s Innovation Hub and Sandbox. The Central Bank expects to complete the complaints-handling review ahead of the Consumer Protection Code coming into force in early 2026.