Check out the latest items on the Agent Forum. Remember, in order to view each item, you must be signed up and logged in. All agents, who are a member of a professional body, are invited to join HMRC’s Agent Forum. This dedicated Agent Forum is hosted in a private area within the HMRC’s Online Taxpayer Forum. You can interact with other agents and HMRC experts to discuss topical issues and processes.

Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, has published a public consultation document “Funds Sector 2030: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets”. In April we reported that the Minister had published the terms of reference for the Department of Finance to conduct a review of Ireland’s funds sector. An online consultation portal is now open to allow stakeholders to submit their views on how Ireland can maintain its position in asset management and fund servicing, how the sector can support economic activity both at the regional and national level and how to ensure the sector is financially resilient, future-proofed and continue to meet international best-practice. The review will also incorporate three recommendations from the Commission on Taxation and Welfare in relation to the taxation regime for investments products, the IREF and REIT regimes and the section 110 regime. The consultation period will run from Thursday 22 June until Friday 15 September 2023. More information can be found on gov.ie. The Institute, under the auspices of the CCAB-I will respond to the consultation and members wishing to provide input can contact us by email.

The Institute, under the auspices of the CCAB-I, made representations on behalf of members at last week’s meeting of the TALC Collections subcommittee. Among the issues discussed, Revenue provided updates on the imminent changes to the obligations of tenants and collection agents of non-resident landlords, the debt warehousing scheme as well as the vacant homes tax. Revenue also informed the group that it intends to no longer accept payment by commercial credit card. Non-resident landlords Revenue re-confirmed the position that non-resident landlords must either arrange for their tenant to withhold 20 percent of the rent due and submit it to Revenue or engage a collection agent to collect rent and file a return of income. Revenue’s new Non-Resident Landlord Withholding Tax (NLWT) system, introduced by way of an amendment in Finance Act 2022, is expected to come into operation on 1 July. 2023. The amendment provides that collection agents who act for a non-resident landlord may deduct withholding tax at 20 percent and remit it to Revenue using the NLWT system. This amendment will relieve the collection agent from being chargeable to tax in Ireland for such income of the non-resident landlord, where the landlord chooses this option. Revenue has acknowledged that the transition to the NLWT system may give rise to cashflow concerns and advises taxpayers to review their options as to the timing of the transition, if they opt for the new system. In this regard, Revenue has advised that withholding tax operated in 2023 will reduce the taxpayer’s preliminary tax obligations. The NLWT system requires collection agents or tenants to make rental notifications (RNs) when rent is paid to non-resident landlords while withholding and remitting 20 percent of the rent payment to Revenue. It was noted that there are no restrictions regarding the bank account from which the withholding tax is to be remitted, so long as the withholding tax is operated and returned correctly. Revenue expects the portal to open for remittances from today. Revenue intends to update the ROS Form 11 2022 Tax and Duty Manual to permit the filing of 2022 returns by taxpayers that are not currently compliant with the legislative requirements applying to non-resident landlords. We will continue to keep members updated via Chartered Accountants Tax News. Debt Warehousing Scheme Revenue reminded the forum that in order for taxpayers to continue to avail of the benefits of the debt warehousing scheme they must file all returns, even Nil returns, and pay current taxes as they fall due,. At the end of May 2023, the total debt warehoused was less than €2 billion consisting of circa 61,000 taxpayers, 32 percent of which owe less than €100 each. Approximately 6,000 taxpayers owe a combined €1.7 billion. The debt warehousing scheme is currently in Period 3, running from 1 January 2023 to 1 May 2024, with interest accruing at 3 percent per annum on the unpaid debt. Taxpayers have until 1 May 2024 to agree and phased payment arrangement (PPA) and are reminded that they can make interim payments during this period, and also request a refund be offset against the balance warehoused. Revenue is encouraging taxpayers to engage now in the phased payment arrangement (PPA) process as there is much flexibility regarding payment terms, amounts and downpayments. A nominal downpayment percentage amount of tax and interest can be applied for initially using the online application system to commence the process of engagement and negotiation. In addition, payment breaks can be arranged once the PPA has been commenced. Revenue wished to remind taxpayers that they will take a flexible and pragmatic approach on a case-by-case basis. Vacant Homes Tax Following the introduction of the vacant homes tax (VHT) in Finance Act 2022, the first chargeable period runs from 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023. If VHT applies to your property for this period, you must submit a VHT return to Revenue by 7 November 2023. Revenue provided the forum with a useful presentation titled “VHT – the 6 steps”. Taxpayers can pay their VHT liability by debit/credit card, monthly direct debit or annual debit instruction (ADI). Payment by ADI will be deducted on 21 March 2024. Commercial Credit Card payments In consideration of the high processing costs of commercial credit cards, Revenue informed the group that it intends to no longer provide an option for payment by commercial credit card.  

At the April meeting of the Forum on Harmful Tax Practices, the group reached new conclusions on five regimes as part of the implementation of the BEPS Action 5 minimum standard on  harmful tax practices. Three of those regimes are now abolished (one for Aruba and two for San Marino), one was amended (Jordan), and the other is in the process of being amended (Albania).

The European Commission has proposed new rules to make withholding tax procedures in the EU more efficient and secure. The initiative will promote fairer taxation, fight tax fraud, and support cross-border investment. Recognising that current refund procedures are often lengthy and costly, the key proposals include a common EU digital tax residence certificate, two fast-track procedures complementing the existing standard refund procedure as well as a standardised reporting obligation.

In this week’s public policy bulletin, we take a look at Ireland’s performance in terms of the gender gap and overall business competitiveness. We also review data on the ongoing drop in wholesale electricity prices as well as Ireland’s overall costliness in terms of household expenses compared to the rest of the EU. In addition, we report on the Bank of England’s interest rate hike in the face of stagnant inflation.   Ireland no longer in top 10 countries making most progress toward closing gender gap In its latest Global Gender Gap Report published this week, the World Economic Forum found that Ireland had slipped two places from ninth to eleventh in the ranking of nations making most progress toward closing the gender gap. Defining the ‘gender gap’ as the overall disparity between men and women across economic, social, health and political dimensions, Ireland’s gap has nonetheless narrowed by 79.2 percent in recent years. While Ireland ranked joint first in the educational attainment category, weaker ratings were given for the State’s performance in terms of political empowerment and economic participation. Iceland remains the most gender-equal country, followed by Norway, Finland, New Zealand and Sweden. Ireland ranked second in the 2023 IMD World Competitive Rankings In its 2023 World Competitiveness Report, the International Institute of Management Development (IMD) has ranked Ireland second in the world in terms of its ability to create and maintain a competitive business environment. According to the report, Ireland’s top ranking in terms of economic performance and significant improvements in government efficiency and business efficiency have contributed to the State’s rise from eleventh to second place in the overall rankings over the past twelve months. However, the economy ranked less well when it came to infrastructure, landing in nineteenth place. Wholesale electricity prices continue to fall but general household expenses remain 46 percent higher in Ireland than rest of EU Wholesale electricity prices have continued to decrease according to the CSO with prices falling by 16.2 percent in May of this year compared to the month before. Electricity prices are now 26.6 percent lower than those recorded in May 2022. However, data released this week by Eurostat on household consumption show that Irish prices were 146 percent of the EU average in 2022, higher than any other country in the bloc. The statistics show that Ireland had the highest prices in the EU for alcohol and tobacco, at more than double the union's average. Meanwhile, the State’s food and non-alcoholic beverage prices were found to be almost 15.4 percent higher than the EU average. You can read the full statistical release here. UK inflation rate remains stagnant as Bank of England raises interest rates The rate of inflation in the UK has remained stagnant at 8.7 percent despite widespread expectations of a fall. According to data released this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), rising prices for air travel, recreational goods and services as well as second-hand cars kept the inflation rate higher than expected. Meanwhile, in its continued pursuit to meet its stated 2 percent inflation target, the Bank of England this week raised interest rates by half a percentage point to a headline rate of 5 percent. In making the announcement, the Bank highlighted the possibility of further rate hikes in the future by stating that “if there were to be evidence of more persistent pressures, then further tightening in monetary policy would be required”.  

In this week’s EU exit bulletin, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications relevant to EU exit. The most recent Trader Support Service Bulletin is available, and HMRC has now appointed its technical delivery partner for the Single Trade Window. A consultation has been launched on introducing a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries, and HMRC is seeking more information on the role of the accountant and/or chief financial officer in business decisions on whether to use the Common Transit Convention. HMRC is also writing to businesses that complete export declarations, and it is also confirmed that the long-awaited duty reimbursement scheme will open for claims from the end of this month. The Institute was also in attendance at last week’s UK Domestic Advisory Group (“DAG”) meeting and raised questions on the Windsor Framework. UK DAG meeting The Institute is a member of the UK DAG, and was in attendance at last week’s meeting which gave group members the opportunity to put questions to Pedro Serrano, the EU’s Ambassador to the UK, Sir Oliver Heald, Leader and Co-chair of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, and representatives from the UK Government. The Institute asked the Ambassador if he was able to share any insights from the EU in respect of how the Windsor Framework (“WF”) is being implemented, from the perspective of potential discrepancies between the UK and EU publications on the framework, and if the EU is satisfied that the new goods movements red and green lane processes will be ready from September 2023. The Ambassador responded that the ongoing relationship between the UK and EU remains positive and all possible work is being doing to implement the WF in the agreed manner. The UK Government also responded to this question and said that the Government is very committed to implementing the WF, and more information and guidance will follow as soon as possible, in addition to the guidance published last week. The UK is working very closely with the EU on that information and guidance.  Duty reimbursement scheme After much lobbying by the Institute, including our letter earlier this year, it is now confirmed that from 30 June 2023, the UK Government will launch the reimbursement scheme for EU duty paid on “at risk” goods which can be shown to not have entered the EU. More information on how the scheme will work was also provided at a meeting on the Windsor Framework several weeks ago, attended by Chartered Accountants Ireland – see our stories here and here. The scheme will be backdated to 1 January 2021, and will also apply to red lane goods movements which should originally have been green lane, under the WF revised trade operating model. The Customs (Northern Ireland: Repayment and Remission) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 underpin the scheme. It is not yet clear if HMRC will pay interest on overpayments received under the scheme. Single Trade Window Deloitte, working with IBM, has been announced as HMRC’s chosen technical delivery partner to build and maintain the platform on which the Single Trade Window (“STW”) will be hosted. The STW aims to simplify traders’ interactions with the border. The World Customs Organisation (“WCO”) defines such Single Windows as ‘a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardised information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit related regulatory requirements’. The STW, at its core, ensures a single-entry point for border data, which results in reduced duplication for users. HMRC aims to work closely with Deloitte and IBM to ensure stakeholders’ views continue to be fed into the design of the UK STW. Consultation on introducing a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries As announced at the 2023 Spring Budget, a consultation has now been launched on the proposal to introduce a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries, with the aim of improving the quality of service across the sector. This consultation closes on 30 August 2023 and This will seek views on: the objectives of a voluntary standard, and what format it could take; how a voluntary standard could be designed and implemented; the potential content of a voluntary standard; and training and educational offerings for the intermediary sector, which would support the introduction of a voluntary standard. This consultation will be of interest to customs intermediaries, traders (particularly those who use or are considering using a customs intermediary), and any other members of the border industry with an interest in and/or understanding of the customs intermediary sector. HMRC will be holding webinars regarding this consultation where policy officials will explain further the scope of the consultation and the consultation process. If you would like to attend one of these webinars, please contact HMRC by emailing customsintermediariesconsultation@hmrc.gov.uk. The Common Transit Convention and the role of the accountant/chief financial offer HMRC has sent the below request on the role of the accountant/chief financial officer in the context of the Common Transit Convention (“CTC”). “We would like to understand better the role of the accountant and/or chief financial officer in business decisions on whether to use the CTC or not, when importing and exporting goods to the European Union and other European countries, so that we can shape future guidance and communication products to key decision makers. Who we are? We are from the Transit Policy Team in the Customs Policy and Strategy Directorate in HMRC. The CTC is a European wide Convention that the UK acceded to in our own right on Exiting the EU. It allows signatories to the Convention to move goods easily across multiple customs territories until the goods arrive at their final destination, where Customs Duties and VAT are paid. This means that the Duty and VAT are suspended until the final destination, offering cash flow benefits to businesses. What we do? We are working on improving our support and guidance on the CTC to help businesses decide if it may be useful to them. And in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement we announced a package of Transit simplifications for businesses, particularly those using the CTC Trusted Trader scheme which allows businesses to start and end Transit movements at their own premises rather than going to a government office at the port. More information on these measures can be found here.  We’d love to talk to you, if you would be interested then please contact us at transitpolicymailbox@hmrc.gov.uk.” Moving to the Customs Declarations Service for exports HMRC is currently writing to businesses that complete export declarations to make them aware of the key dates for transitioning from the current CHIEF system to the Customs Declarations Service (“CDS”) by the end of November 2023. Traders should therefore check that HMRC has the correct email address to ensure that they are informed at the right time. From 1 December 2023, all export declarations must be made through the CDS. However, traders should not try to move export declarations to the CDS before September 2023, unless contacted by HMRC. Currently, specific types of export declarations cannot be made through the CDS and must still be submitted using CHIEF. HMRC is writing to businesses making these declarations to inform them of when they can start using the CDS.  The current timetable for full transition of export declarations is as follows: from May 2023, HMRC has been contacting traders submitting the highest number of export declarations but only through the Goods Vehicle Movement Service, and has advised them to start making export declarations through the CDS. from July 2023, HMRC will contact all remaining export declarants to make sure they are ready to make export declarations through the CDS by setting out the actions they need to take and signposting to relevant guidance. from September 2023, the CDS is expected to be open for making declarations for all export routes. Next steps Traders that have not already done so should carry out the following steps to prepare for making export declarations through the CDS: Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number beginning with ‘GB’; Subscribe to the CDS; Read the latest CDS guidance. Contact HMRC with any questions. Miscellaneous updated guidance etc. The latest guidance updates, and publications relevant to EU exit are as follows:- Customs, VAT and Excise UK transition legislation from 1 January 2021; Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS); Method of payment (MOP) codes for Data Element 4/8 of the Customs Declaration Service; Additional Information (AI) Statement Codes for Data Element 2/2 of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS); Appendix 2: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes; Appendix 1 Inventory Imports: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes; Appendix 2 C21i: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes; The Customs (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023; Notices made under the Customs (Export) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; Notices made under the Customs (Import Duty) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018; Data Element 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes (Union) of the Customs Declaration Service; and Appendix 1: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes.  

Paul A. Slattery outlines the keys to successful impromptu public speaking. Ad hoc speaking situations are a common occurrence in professional settings, and the mere prospect of delivering a speech at short notice can be nerve-racking for many of us. However, there is no need to dread this. By employing specific techniques, you can deliver a successful presentation at any time. Be prepared to sound spontaneous Your goal is to sound spontaneous while articulating your ideas in an organised manner, making an impact on your audience. Although being fresh and spontaneous is desirable, simply ‘winging it’ should never be your approach. Achieving a balance of ‘organised improvisation’ and appearing natural without following a script requires preparation. The rule of three The ‘Rule of Three’ is an excellent starting point. It can be adapted to suit any topic and is based on the concept that we are more likely to remember a list of three items or ideas. You can use the Rule of Three to structure your presentation and deliver a solid argument, even with barely any time to prepare. Select the three most important aspects to concentrate on, such as “Three necessary measures to undertake….” The Rule of Three is exemplified in another recommended communication model: ‘Be Brief. Be Bright. Be Gone.’ This philosophy was introduced by Jay Frost and David Currier in their book of the same name. The idea was originally intended for aspiring pharmaceutical sales representatives, but it can be universally applied. To succeed in sales, it is essential to comprehend and implement these three principles: Be brief — Keep your sales pitches short and to the point. Be bright — Understand your product and its context. Be gone — Respect your customer’s time. Be brief Keep in mind that simplicity is key to effective communication. Start by defining the reason for the presentation and providing the relevant facts. Tell your audience only what they need to know – not everything you know. Be ready to answer their questions and maintain a positive attitude in your communication. Consider using the BLUF methodology. BLUF stands for Bottom Line Up Front and is a concise communication practice in which critical information is presented first. It is commonly used in the US military to ensure precision and impact. Think of BLUF as an inverted pyramid providing a simplified version of the message. It is applicable not only in military writing and journalism but also in business presentations. Be bright As a starting point, understand your situation and its context. You should also aim to create a bright impression by engaging in eye contact and, when feasible, firmly shake hands. Try maintaining a confident posture by standing tall. Make sure to convey openness and receptiveness by uncrossing your arms and legs. A sincere smile can go a long way in creating a connection. When speaking, project your voice into the room to ensure everyone can hear you clearly. Speak with confidence to convey your expertise and captivate your listeners. In other words, project your executive presence. Be gone Once you have conveyed your message, it is important to conclude promptly, respecting people’s time and avoiding unnecessary follow-up. Showing consideration for others’ schedules and minimising complexity are vital in any professional communication. There is no need to dread presenting at short notice. Being ready will assist you in delivering concise and compelling presentations. By practising the approaches mentioned here, you can deliver successful impromptu speeches, sound spontaneous and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Paul A. Slattery is the founder and Managing Director of NxtGEN Executive Presence

How do employers attract and retain Gen Z? Full-blown member David Boyd explains The oldest members of Gen Z are now 26, only a few years out of university, an experience shaped by an abrupt shift to online learning, disrupted exams and prohibited socialising. Then the introduction of remote work put individuals’ priorities into perspective. So what does this mean for Gen Z in the workforce? Great Place to Work identified that Gen Z are the largest generation, 32 percent of the global population. By the year 2030, the number of Gen Z employees is anticipated to triple. While they are educated, skilled, socially conscious and resilient, their full potential is as yet unknown. Having grown up with evolving technology, they are more adaptable to change and accepting of efficiencies at work. Additionally, Gen Z want to work for an organisation that sees them as an individual, not a number. As this generation loves learning and puts diversity and inclusion first, a company’s culture can be their first non-negotiable factor in applying for a job. Forget the generalisation that all of Gen Z are “quiet quitters” because what they really want is transparency, action on diversity, and social and environmental responsibility from an organisation that will support their career development. Generation X and Millennial employers should be mindful of Gen Z’s use of anonymous review websites and social media platforms to assess organisational culture. Therefore, organisations should consider if their digital platforms feature people from diverse backgrounds and show support for LGBTQ+ communities, and their online presence is authentic, showcasing their values. Gen Z are said to be the most selective generation, who will change jobs and employers for better opportunities and value alignment. They pay close attention to the types of interview questions asked, particularly if the interviewer is empathetic towards their happiness in the role and good cultural fit. Some people hold the misconception that what Gen Z want at work is a Google-style lounge area and activities but what they really want is holistic benefits, particularly flexibility. Gen Z have experienced working remotely and so are keen to optimise their time outside work to meet their commitments and achieve ambitions. They are unwilling to compromise their vision to fit into a culture that does not fulfil their expectation to live outside working hours. Of course, flexibility includes more than just flexible working hours; it means internal mobility through acquiring a new skill or role. It is unlikely that Gen Z will settle in one role for the duration of their career without the opportunity for growth and development. A study by LinkedIn found that 40 percent of Gen Z are willing to accept a pay cut for a role that offers better career development. A further 70 percent had experienced a career awakening, initiated by the pandemic. Symptoms included boredom, a craving for more work-life-balance and the desire for a job aligned with their passions. Organisations that strive to attract and retain Gen Z should commit to making a strong initial connection with employees, utilise technology for efficiencies, take action on social and environmental global issues, and provide support for employees’ personal and career development. David Boyd is a Graduate Consultant at Grant Thornton in Northern Ireland

In developments this week, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published a research report about Audit Committee Chairs’ views on, and approach to, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) activities and reporting; the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has published its Annual Report for 2022. Read more on these and other developments that may be of interest to members below. Assurance and Audit Technical Release 01/2023 Safeguarding reporting for payment and electronic money firms has been issued. The purpose of this Technical Release (TR) is to provide assistance to auditors who are engaged by Payment and Electronic Money (E-Money) institutions (the Firms) following a request from the Central Bank of Ireland to carry out an engagement pursuant to a letter to the Firms dated 20 January 2023 and a further communication on 25 May 2023. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has published a research report about Audit Committee Chairs’ views on, and approach to, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) activities and reporting.  The report, commissioned by the FRC and conducted by independent research agency YouGov, involved qualitative interviews with 40 ACCs of Public Interest Entities (PIEs), representing a diverse range of organisations, including FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies, other listed equities, building societies, and unlisted banks.  The FRC has published a response to the consultation on proposed amendments to the Audit Enforcement Procedure (AEP) and related guidance launched on 3 April 2023. The main purpose of the proposals was to effect changes to the decision-making remit of the Board and the Case Examiner under Part 2 of the AEP (Initial Stages). Financial Reporting The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has updated its guidance to Actuarial Standard Technical Memorandum 1 (AS TM1) version 5, which provides clarity on the application of some paragraphs within the standard. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has issued the June 2023 IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard update. This covers news, events and other developments in the standard during the month. This update includes an overview of the proposed amendments to the standard relating to the Pillar Two model rules. Insolvency For the first time in Ireland, the Court has appointed an Examiner to a foreign registered, non-EU company on the basis that its centre of main interests is in Ireland. McCann FitzGerald solicitors are acting for the Company in examinership and has summarised this precedent appointment. We have recently been engaging with the Examiner of the High Court who has noted that Judge Quinn, who manages the Examiner’s Court List, is keen to finalise a number of old liquidations in the coming months. The Examiner is seeking the engagement of Liquidators in helping to finalise these matters. In that regard, the Examiner will shortly be in contact directly with the Solicitors who act for Liquidators in these matters asking for papers to be submitted for a Final Application to the Court and your co-operation in preparing up to date Liquidator’s Reports would be greatly appreciated. Sustainability The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has announced that it will issue its sustainability standards IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures on 26 June 2023. Accountancy Europe have made available some working documents which compare the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) proposed in the recent Delegated Act to the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group’s original drafts. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has launched a Call for Evidence (CfE) on integrating sustainability preferences into suitability assessment and product governance arrangements under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) II. The objective of this Call for Evidence (CfE) is to gather industry feedback that will help better understand the evolution of the market and provide answers as to how firms apply the new MiFID rules on sustainability. The FRC has issued its response to the ISSB consultation on the methodology for enhancing the international applicability of the SASB Standards and SASB Standards Taxonomy updates. Other News Accountancy Europe has published its June 2023 SME update. The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – the ESAs) has this week launched a public consultation on the first batch of policy products under the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). This includes four draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) and one set of draft implementing technical standards (ITS). These technical standards aim to ensure a consistent and harmonised legal framework in the areas of ICT risk management, major ICT-related incident reporting and ICT third-party risk management. The consultation runs until 11 September 2023. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has published its Annual Report for 2022. It sets out the key achievements of the authority in fulfilling its mission of enhancing investor protection and promoting stable and orderly financial markets in the European Union (EU) during a transformative year.   The European Banking Authority (EBA) has published its Report on money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks associated with EU payment institutions. Its findings suggest that ML/TF risks in the sector may not be assessed and managed effectively by institutions and their supervisors. The Central Bank has published its second Quarterly Bulletin of 2023. For further technical information and updates please visit the Technical Hub on the Institute website.

Andrea Dermody explains how organisations can develop a culture of belonging where employees can thrive Do you remember a time when you weren’t picked for a team? Or a time when you felt like the ‘other’, the ‘only’, in a group? Do you remember how that felt? These feelings relate to your sense of belonging, your fundamental human need for connection and affinity with others. Over the last few years, we have seen the narrative around diversity and inclusion expand to include equity and belonging, ‘DEIB’ for short. But what does the ‘belonging’ element mean? The dictionary defines belonging as “a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you”. According to research by Coqual, a non-profit think tank, a sense of belonging at work is rooted in four elements: Being seen for your unique contributions; Feeling connected to your co-workers; Being supported in your daily work and career development; and Being proud of your organisation’s values and purpose. The research found that employees with high belonging scores also have high engagement scores, higher retention scores, greater loyalty to their organisation and are more likely to recommend their company as a good place to work. When individuals feel a genuine connection to their organisation and their colleagues, they are more likely to contribute their unique skills, ideas and perspectives. This is critically important as 72 percent of European employees report feeling disengaged from their workplace. Might a culture of belonging address this challenge? Creating a culture of belonging How do we build belonging? Belonging is in the little things and, according to Geoffrey L. Cohen in Belonging – The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides, “slight adjustments in the way we interact with people in our daily lives can do much to nurture belonging”. Here are some of the strategies that work: Lead from the top by acknowledging that the objective of the organisation is to create a culture where DEIB is part of how you do business every day and tying its achievement to reward and the promotion of leaders. Spotlight diverse role models to overcome the challenge described by Amy Edmondson in The Fearless Organisation as “when no one at the top of the organisation looks like you, it can make it harder for you to feel you belong”. Be respectfully curious. Don’t assume that what gives you a sense of belonging is the same for everyone. Ask questions and actively listen to learn who people are and what makes them feel they belong. Develop your leaders to understand the difference between diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging and their role as culture shapers and carriers. Build psychological safety by promoting a culture where everyone feels comfortable speaking up, taking risks and celebrating the learning acquired from mistakes. Belonging does not exist in isolation from the other components of DEIB. Organisations need to take a balanced score card approach to build capability, accountability and action across all four areas, regardless of how they label this work. When employees feel they belong, they are more likely to thrive and contribute their best work. Organisations that get this right will reap the benefits of a diverse, engaged and high-performing workforce. Andrea Dermody is the founder of D&I advisory consultancy Dermody  

  In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about Ireland’s climate projections and its rating as an attractive country for renewable energy investments. Also covered is the increased participation of women in senior roles in Ireland, the launch of Northern Ireland’s first ever consultation on Carbon Budgets at a time of rising emissions across almost all sectors in the region, updates from the European Commission, as well as the usual round-up of articles, podcasts and events. Met Éireann releases first climate projections from the TRANSLATE initiative Met Eireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, has this week released climate projections from a new climate resource for Ireland. Projects include a likelihood of drier summers, an increasing number of heatwaves, and wetter winters. The resource, TRANSLATE: One Climate Resource for Ireland, aims to standardise future climate projections and develop climate services that meet the information needs of decision makers. Data from TRANSLATE will be used to communicate climate science data/information for products such as indices, risk assessments, and uncertainty estimates, and provide information needed to build resilience to climate change across all locations, sectors and services. Ireland’s holds position in global renewable energy development attractiveness The latest edition of the EY Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index shows that Ireland has retained its 2022 position as the 13th most attractive country in the world for renewable energy investments. The index ranks the world’s top 40 markets on the attractiveness of their investment in renewable energy and deployment opportunities. Ireland’s Offshore Wind Auctions and increasing use of Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) have reportedly contributed to the position in the ranking. Also, this week, the Government approved the Terms and Conditions for the first offshore RESS auction, ORESS 1, with final auction results now confirmed and available on the EirGrid website. At least three offshore auctions are currently planned this decade. Irish businesses spent €8.6 billion on energy in 2021 Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) this week have revealed that the cost of energy purchases by enterprises in 2021 was €8.6 billion, of which 56 percent was paid for by firms in the services sector. The survey, using data from approximately  5,000 enterprises, showed that purchases of electricity and natural gas accounted for 62 percent of total energy costs incurred by enterprises in 2021, and the use of renewable energy purchased directly by enterprises increased by 59 percent between 2012 and 2021. The release was compiled during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted on the 2020 and 2021 data. Read more. Increase in proportion of women in senior roles The first annual report of the Women in Finance Charter published this week and found that female representation on executive committees in Ireland has increased from 32 to 35 percent since 2022. The Charter is a collaboration between industry and Government under the Ireland for Finance strategy. Established in 2022, it seeks to improve female representation in financial services firms operating in Ireland and is open to all financial services firms operating in Ireland. Northern Ireland launches first ever consultation on Carbon Budgets Northern Ireland’s first ever consultation on Carbon Budgets has been launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The 16-week consultation will run from 21 June to 11 October and seeks feedback on the proposed first three carbon budgets for 2023-2027, 2028-2032 and 2033-2037, as well on the interim targets that should be set for 2030 and 2040 for reductions in greenhouse gases. DAERA is also seeking views through the consultation on the recommendations of the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) on the Path to Net Zero for Northern Ireland, and is keen to hear from individuals, businesses, communities, and other organisations from across the region. The consultation was launched the day after DAERA’s publication of a statistical bulletin on greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland for the period between 1990 and 2021 which also shows that between 2020 and 2021 emissions increased in all sectors in the region, with the exception of waste management and public. The largest increases were in the transport, agriculture and energy supply sectors, respectively. Plastic packaging tax – monthly update from HMRC (From our colleagues in Tax) HMRC has begun sending a monthly email containing updates on the plastic packaging tax (“PPT”). This month’s email is available to read. HMRC has also sent an email with key reminders on the PPT. European Commission consults on Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism The European Commission has published a call for feedback on the rules governing the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) during its transitional implementation. To give time for businesses to prepare, during the phase, from 1 October 2023 until the end of 2025, traders will only have to report on the emissions embedded in their imports subject to the mechanism without paying any financial adjustment. Sustainable finance for SMEs and Green EU Trademarks on the rise (from our friends in Accountancy Europe) The European Commission has published a new sustainable finance package in which it states it will ask EFRAG to prioritise work on what it describes as “a voluntary standard for non-listed SMEs, which may use it to standardise the sustainability information they wish to report, and which can make it easier for them to participate in the transition to a sustainable economy.” It also emphasises the need to reinforce SMEs’ access to and opportunities in transition finance.   The EU’s Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has published its latest Green EU Trade Marks report, showing that SMEs account for 10 percent of environmentally friendly EU Trade Marks (EUTMs) and filed more green EUTMs than large companies between 2015 and 2021. The report argues this demonstrates the growing commitment of SMEs towards sustainable practices and their role in introducing eco-friendly goods and services into the EU Single Market.   Accountancy Europe support tools for SMEs’ sustainable transition include a paper on SME sustainability risk management and a 3-step sustainability checklist, with more to come. IFRS Foundation publishes educational material on effects of climate matters on SMEs’ Accounting Standard The International Federation for Reporting Standards (IFRS) has published educational material to illustrate how the IFRS for SMEs Accounting Standard requires companies to consider climate-related matters that have a material effect on the financial statements. The material was developed in response to feedback suggesting that interest in the potential effects of climate-related matters on SMEs’ financial statements is growing among users of those statements. Glossary update The Chartered Accountants Ireland sustainability glossary has been updated to include the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), double materiality, and more.   Podcast Richard Curtis, writer of British comedies like Love Actually, Mr. Bean and Blackadder talks to Bloomberg Zero about Make My Money Matter, an initiative to make retirement funds and banks greener (35 mins) Articles Europe is 2.3 degrees hotter than before industrial revolution, climate report finds (The Journal) Much of the time growth strategies and green strategies don’t have to be so different -  You can make your business more sustainable, with an applied focus (Irish Independent) Where are leading Irish companies on decarbonising and embracing sustainability? (Irish Times) In the loop: tech and innovation in the circular economy - From manufacturers to consumers, tech is coming around to the ideals of the reuse and regeneration of existing materials and products (Business Post)   Upcoming events The UN Global Compact is organising a series of activities around the world for International SME Day on 27 June.  Small Business, Big Impact is a live regional in-practice exchange session to learn directly from SMEs on how they are integrating sustainability into their business strategy and operations. Speakers include Jess Fleischer, CEO, Son of a Tailor (Denmark) and Hanna Kalliomäki, Chief Sustainability Officer, Paptic (Finland). 27 June 2023, 14:30 (Dublin time). Register Here CSRD: striving for consistent and quality sustainability assurance engagements across the EU Accountancy Europe is inviting key stakeholders to exchange on their expectations for assurance engagements, the practical implications of the CSRD assurance requirement and the role of the assurance standard. This event is in person and by invitation only. For more information, contact events@accountancyeurope.eu. 5 July Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities? Chartered Accountant now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting. 3rd or 4th Wednesday of every month Next: 28 June, 2023  14.00-15.00/30 Chartered Accountant House/Teams If you would like to attend please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie   You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.