News 2026

The Investment Business Regulations have been revised to reflect the Institute’s policy to provide only the authorisation categories IA1, IA2 and IB1 to Institute firms.  The categories of IB2 and ID previously provided for in the Investment Business Regulations have been removed.  The categories of investment business activities for which the Institute provides authorisation under the Investment Business Regulations, pursuant to the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 (the IIA) are summarised  at Schedule 1 to Chapter 1 of Investment Business Regulations.    It is a firm’s responsibility to ensure that the firm is properly authorised for any investment business activities which the firm provides to clients.  The revised Investment Business Regulations are effective from 19 January 2026. Note regarding registration by the Central Bank in certain circumstances The Institute does not authorise firms to carry out insurance related activities which fall under the European Union (Insurance Distribution) Regulations 2018 (the statutory instrument which transposed the EU Insurance Distribution Directive in Ireland).  Firms which undertake activities under the European Union (Insurance Distribution) Regulations 2018, such as advising on or arranging insurance products, including insurance-based life and pension products, must be registered for such activities directly by the Central Bank of Ireland.   A firm which carries out investment business activities under the IIA could also choose to seek registration from the Central Bank for those IIA activities instead of from the Institute.  It is appropriate for a firm to review its investment business activities and the related authorisation regularly to ensure that it holds the appropriate level of authorisation for the activities provided.