Central Bank of Ireland to consult on a Regulatory Impact Assessment Framework and review corporate governance requirements in 2026

At its fourth annual Financial System Conference, the Central Bank of Ireland published opening remarks by Governor Gabriel Makhlouf outlining the Bank’s next phase of regulatory and supervisory evolution, centred on “regulating and supervising well” while making the domestic framework clearer, more consistent and less burdensome without lowering standards. The speech points to recent changes including a more integrated, risk-based and outcomes-focused supervisory approach, more transparent and predictable authorisation processes, and lessons from the first Innovation Sandbox programme as a new model for innovation engagement. It also highlights ongoing work to ensure coherence between domestic and European frameworks, including a review of domestic regimes for alignment with evolving European Union law and an expectation that the existing anti-money laundering framework will mostly be replaced by new EU Regulations. The Governor also reaffirmed that supervision will not be dialled back and that enforcement action will continue where necessary. Over the coming weeks, the Bank will publish a list of ongoing initiatives aimed at making the domestic regulatory framework more straightforward. It plans to consult on a new Regulatory Impact Assessment Framework in 2026 and to review corporate governance requirements in 2026 to remove duplication, improve cross-sector alignment, and embed proportionality and clarity.