In this week’s bulletin, read about the economic importance and environmental challenges of data centres, new measures to accelerate electric vehicle adoption, Central Bank warnings on maintaining financial resilience, and Ireland’s improving environmental performance and growth in the green economy. Updates also cover UK Carbon Budget targets, renewable energy progress in Northern Ireland, EU policy priorities focused on competitiveness, decarbonisation and resilience, and a new ISO standard for net-zero transition planning by financial institutions, as well as the usual resources, articles and events.Chartered Accountants Ireland Chartered Accountants Ireland and British Irish Chamber of Commerce will hold panel discussion on mobilising private-sector investment in infrastructure next Tuesday on 9 June. Ireland and the UK face significant infrastructure investment requirements over the coming decade. A recent British Irish Chamber of Commerce briefing with Sean O’Driscoll, member of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce, highlighted that Ireland requires approximately €250bn in infrastructure investment, while the UK is expected to require £1tn over the next ten years. In both markets, private-sector finance will play a critical role in delivering the scale of investment required. As governments seek to accelerate infrastructure delivery and economic growth, this discussion will explore how private-sector investment can be mobilised, the barriers that remain, and the opportunities for collaboration across these islands. Members are encouraged to register for the session on Tuesday morning 9 June from 8am–10am in Chartered Accountants House which will be moderated by Michele Connolly, member of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce and former Partner and Head of Global Infrastructure at KPMG. IrelandReport published into the value of data centres to Ireland The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, TD, has published an independent report prepared by KPMG which assesses the economic contribution and strategic importance of the data centre sector in Ireland. The report, titled “The Value of Data Centres to Ireland”, asserts that data centres are a critical component of Ireland’s digital infrastructure, supporting economic activity, employment and investment across the wider economy. Key findings of the analysis include that data centres underpin much of Ireland’s broader economic activity with over €100 billion in annual Gross Value Added (GVA), 875,000 jobs, and €14.6 billion in annual employment-related taxes. The report acknowledges that data centres are large energy users, and that challenges associated with further expansion of the sector include increasing energy demand, grid capacity constraints, and the need to manage carbon emissions in line with national climate targets. It highlights opportunities to support renewable energy deployment and to contribute to regional economic development through more balanced growth, and concludes that continued, managed development of the data centre sector will be critical to maintaining Ireland’s competitiveness, supporting digitalisation and enabling future economic growth.Separately, a report published by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health this week examines what is describes as “one of the most underexplored consequences of AI’s rapid expansion: the environmental footprints of the energy required to power it”. The report, Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence: Carbon, Water and Land Footprints, shows that AI is not only a digital technology, but also a material system with measurable environmental cost. It singles out Ireland as an example of globally distributed AI services creating intense local pressures, and describes how data centres in Ireland accounted for 21 percent of total metered electricity in 2023, exceeding all urban households, and how the national grid operator has paused new approvals around Dublin until 2028: “Ireland [is] a concrete, documented example of what happens when AI infrastructure growth outpaces energy planning — and a preview of what other countries are heading toward.”€10 million funding for scheme accelerating switch to electric vehiclesA new scheme has been introduced to accelerate the transition from older, high-emitting internal combustion engine vehicles to cleaner electric vehicles (EVs). The ICE2EV Scheme, which will launch on 1 July and will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), is a targeted measure that aims to remove fossil-fuel powered vehicles aged over 13 years from Ireland’s private car fleet and replace them with new battery EVs. Read more from Chartered Accountants Ireland here. Central Bank warns that resilience must be protectedA Central Bank review has found that Ireland's financial system is starting from a position of strength, but that resilience must be protected. The Financial Stability Review, which assesses the risks to – and resilience of – the Irish financial system has found that risks to Ireland's financial system from the global environment have intensified. Commenting on the publication, Governor Gabriel Makhlouf said that a sustained energy shock could intensify cost pressures for businesses and households: “This is why preserving resilience is so critical right now. Strong capital buffers in our banks, prudent lending standards, and robust operational defences are essential to ensure the financial system continues to serve households and businesses.”  Ireland’s economy less resource- and emissions-intensive, says CSO reportIreland’s economy is becoming less resource-intensive and less emissions-intensive and is producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic activity, according to a snapshot of key environmental indicators published by Central Statistics Office (CSO) ahead of World Environment Day on Friday 5 June. Read more from Chartered Accountants Ireland here.Ongoing barriers in infrastructure delivery need to be researched, seminar finds“Now is the time to begin researching the barriers to be tackled in the next Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery Plan”. This was the key action suggested by the National Economic & Social Council (NESC) Secretariat at a seminar recently held in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The event was a strategic policy seminar for the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), the cross-government network of economists and policy analysts in various Irish government departments, the main goal of which is to improve public policy by ensuring that government decisions and spending are backed by data and economic analysis. Presenting his paper Addressing Trade-Offs in the Energy Transition Dr Cathal Fitzgerald, Senior Analyst at NESC said that research is needed on cultural, behavioural, and political barriers in the policy system and recommended, among other things some empirical work on rational risk aversion: “The current Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery Plan can rightly tackle legal, planning, regulatory, social, and operational barriers, and should be implemented without delay. However, Ireland’s persistent problem in delivering infrastructure across many sectors suggests that there are other issues at play.”UK/Northern IrelandUK government sets out proposed level for the seventh Carbon BudgetThe UK has set out its proposed level for the seventh Carbon Budget, setting a science-led target of 87 percent emissions reduction in the period 2038 to 2042, as endorsed by the Environmental Audit Committee and the Climate Change Committee. The announcement comes as an independent report from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows that the net zero economy supports over one million jobs in the UK, adding £105 billion in gross value added (GVA)  to the UK economy in 2025 alone. In October 2025, the government had published the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, which brings together the actions being taken across government to meet carbon budgets 4-6, from 2023 to 2037.Report finds high level of public concern in Northern Ireland about environmental issues The Northern Ireland Environmental Statistics Report has been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The statistical report, which is produced annually, contains information on a range of environmental indicators in Northern Ireland such as Public Attitudes and Access to Nature; Climate Change; Air; Water and Marine; Biodiversity and Land; Waste and Historical Environment. The report finds that the level of public concern about environmental issues was high in 2025/26, with 73 percent ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ concerned about the environment. Also revealed was that in 2025/26 illegal dumping of waste and litter (34 percent) was the greatest environmental concern for households in Northern Ireland followed by pollution of air, water and soil (29 percent). Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 18.2 MtCO2e in 2023, a reduction of 31.5 percent since 1990 baseline levels, with urban traffic nitrogen dioxide levels having also decreased in 2025. Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year Ending March 2026Findings in the recently published ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending March 2026’ report, which details the contribution of electricity generated from renewable sources in the region, show that more electricity was generated from renewable sources in the year to March 2026 than in the previous year, with the majority (73 percent) generated from wind. This was followed by bioenergy (19%), solar PV (6%), landfill gas (1 percent) and hydro / tidal generation (1 percent).The report aids reporting on performance against the commitments in the Energy Strategy ‘Path to Net Zero Energy’ and the Climate Change Act target which is to “ensure that at least 80% of electricity consumption is from renewable sources by 2030.”Europe EU Commission adopts 2026 European Semester Spring Package The EU Commission has adopted the 2026 European Semester Spring Package setting out policy guidance for Member States, with a particular focus on strengthening the EU’s competitiveness, strategic autonomy, as well as economic and social resilience and cohesion, while maintaining fiscal sustainability. The package responds to “escalating global tensions, heightened security risks and climate-related challenges, alongside volatile energy prices and persisting cost of living pressures continue to weigh on Europe's economy, affecting both households and businesses”, and focuses on unlocking the full potential of the Single Market, closing the innovation gap, accelerating decarbonisation and reducing strategic dependencies, while promoting jobs and skills, tackling the housing crisis and ensuring social fairness and cohesion. "Climate impacts and preparedness in Europe" portal updates The "Climate impacts and preparedness in Europe" web portal produced by the European Environment Agency has recently been updated with newest data on how most relevant climate hazards are impacting Europe and improved usability. It answers three key questions: What is Europe adapting to? How is Europe adapting? What enables or blocks progress towards resilience?Investing in preparedness and climate adaptation pays off, economically and socially, by reducing damage, protecting livelihoods, and strengthening resilience as climate impacts intensify. As temperatures continue to rise across Europe, human and economic costs are rising too. Despite ongoing efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and boost adaptation efforts, economic losses from weather and climate-related events were €822 billion over the period 1980-2024, with 25 percent of losses occurring between 2021-2024, and with losses per year of c.€40–50 billion. By comparison, the European Union budget for supporting the bloc’s agricultural sector is €386.6 billion for the period 2021–2027, roughly €55 billion a year, representing 30 percent of the EU budget.WorldThe International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a new standard for net-zero transition planning by financial institutions designed to protect and enhance value by supporting institutions’ response and contribution to a global net zero and climate-resilient economy. ISO 32212 Sustainable finance — Net zero transition planning for financial institutions  applies to any financial institution, regardless of size, type and geographic location, with a particular focus on banking, insurance and investment institutions. Its provisions are applied in the context of the institution’s particular business model. The requirements and recommendations are designed to enable financial institutions to develop and maintain transition planning objectives and targets that advance the temperature and resilience goals of the Paris Agreement, and establish robust policies and processes to integrate these into their financial activities.Technical Roundup(From our colleagues in Professional Accounting)Chartered Accountants Ireland has responded to the two European Commission’s (EC’s) call for views:The draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). While welcoming the finalisation of the ESRS, the Institute has called for the EC to pursue some long-term goals while the standards are maturing. This includes ensuring that reporting entities have a period of stability where the standards remain unchanged and a greater focus on long term alignment with other global sustainability reporting standards.The sustainability reporting standards for voluntary use. The Institute outlined in its response that there is concern that the voluntary standard may not meet stakeholder needs or deliver sufficient value chain information and that the EC should monitor its effectiveness and uptake, and act if it falls short of its objectives. There may be gaps between the voluntary standard and requirements under the ESRS, particularly on value chain data.Accountancy Europe has also provided its feedback to the European Commission’s draft delegated act with the revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).Resources New guidance on finance teams’ need to consider climate and nature Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) has created a nature guidance series to give finance teams the practical guidance and tools to help understand the link between nature and climate change, and actions to take to reflect this in financial decision making. Articles94,000 jobs on the line if Irish data centre capacity restricted (Business Post)Data centres a 'strategic opportunity' for Irish economy - Minister for Enterprise (RTÉ News)Ireland’s data centre strain a ‘cautionary tale’ for rest of world, UN says (Irish Times)In a time of sky-high oil prices, should Ireland go nuclear? (Irish Times) New laws to make gender pay reporting website mandatory for employers (Irish Independent)Two steps back, but three forward for sustainability reporting (Reuters)Mineral waste could supply more than half of Europe’s critical demand by 2050 (SustainabilityOnline.net)EventsEuropean Environment Agency, Webinar: What are the benefits of circular economy?Transition to a more circular economy will not make products rounder. A circular economy reduces pressures to the environment and climate, while it fosters our economic security. But how much good precisely does a circular economy do?Virtual, Jun 11, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PMDublin Chamber, New EU Packaging Rules: Briefing with Repak The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will bring major changes for businesses across Ireland and Europe. Join Dublin Chamber and Zoe Kavanagh, CEO at Repak, for a practical and commercially focused briefing exploring what PPWR means for Irish businesses, the timelines companies need to be aware of, and the steps organisations should begin considering today. In person, Wed 17 Jun 2026, 08:30 AM - 10:00 AM, Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 D02 F9O2Sustainability CentreYou can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.  

Ireland’s economy is becoming less resource-intensive and less emissions-intensive and is producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic activity, according to a snapshot of key environmental indicators published by Central Statistics Office (CSO) ahead of World Environment Day on Friday 5 June. The CSO snapshot looks at how Ireland interacts with our environment and how our behaviour is changing. Key findings include that newer homes are more energy efficient, that the number of homes using solar energy in their Building Energy Rating (BER) rose by 7 percent from 2021 to 2025, and that the number and share of EVs continues to rise among new private cars. Environmental protection expenditure by Government, households, and corporations was estimated to be €3.2 billion in 2023, and the extent of our Forest and Woodland ecosystems grew between 2018-2021 by 4,500 hectares of broadleaved deciduous and mixed forests (the equivalent to 3,800 full size GAA pitches). Looking at the Green Economy, the snapshot finds that Gross Output of the Green Economy was €12.1 billion in 2023, up 10 percent on 2022 and it supported 48,400 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs, which was up 13 percent on 2022. It also found that between 2010 and 2022 waste that was landfilled in Ireland fell in terms of both volume, down from 3.8 million tonnes to 2.6 million tonnes, and as a proportion of total waste treated, down from 40 percent to 19 percent.The CSO’s Climate & Environment directorate produces independent data on emissions, energy use, and environmental sustainability. These national statistics provide data on the interaction between the economy, society, and the environment, as well as insight for policy makers and benchmarks with Europe.

A new scheme has been introduced to accelerate the transition from older, high-emitting internal combustion engine vehicles to cleaner electric vehicles (EVs). The ICE2EV Scheme, which will launch on 1 July and will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), is a targeted measure that aims to remove fossil-fuel powered vehicles aged over 13 years from Ireland’s private car fleet and replace them with new battery EVs. The initiative is backed by €10 million in funding from the Climate Action Fund under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. To ensure balanced access, 65 percent of the funding will be allocated to rural applicants and 35 percent to urban applicants, based on Central Statistics Office Census 2022 definitions. Also announced was a planned reduction of the maximum eligible vehicle price threshold for the SEAI Electric Vehicle Purchase Grant from €60,000 to €50,000 in order to target funding for the EV transition towards lower-price-bracket cars. The change aims to enable a greater proportion of the funding available within the National Development Plan to support the roll-out of public charging infrastructure in line with the draft EV charging strategy, published in February 2026.The amended price threshold will come into place for new applications received after 31 July 2026 and will not affect applications approved or submitted prior to this date, which will continue to be assessed under the current threshold.Further details on ICE2EV, including the application processes, will be made available by the SEAI ahead of the launch date.

Qualifying as a chartered accountant is a major milestone — but it’s also the point where your career choices begin to expand rapidly. With multiple pathways available across industry, practice, and financial services, how you present yourself on paper and in interviews will play a critical role in shaping your next move.Take Control of Your Early CareerAs a newly qualified chartered accountant, it’s important to approach your career with intent. Think of it as a long-term project rather than a series of short-term decisions. This means planning ahead, understanding different career routes, and thinking two moves beyond your immediate next role.Building a strong professional network is essential at this stage. Connecting with peers and slightly more experienced chartered accountants can provide valuable insight into career pathways and opportunities. Mentors can also play a key role in helping you assess your options and make informed decisions.Your CV: A Strategic Sales ToolYour CV is your personal marketing document. Its purpose is simple: to clearly show the value you bring and secure an interview. As a newly qualified chartered accountant, you should focus on highlighting your achievements during training—client exposure, technical experience, and measurable contributions.Strong CVs are:- Achievement-focused: Quantify your impact where possible.- Clear and concise: Use direct language such as “led,” “delivered,” or “analysed” .- Structured: Show career progression with no unexplained gaps.- Tailored: Adapt your CV depending on the role you are applying for.It’s also important to include relevant details such as your degree results, systems experience, and exposure to different sectors or clients. Always ask yourself after each bullet point: “What value does this show?”Optimising for Modern RecruitmentMany employers now use AI to screen CVs, so your application needs to work for both technology and people. As a Chartered Accountant, ensure you include relevant keywords such as ACA, financial reporting, audit, tax, or FP&A—depending on your experience.Keep formatting simple and professional. Avoid graphics, tables, or overly creative layouts, as these can interfere with automated screening systems. A clear, clean CV is far more effective than a visually complex one.Building Your Professional BrandYour LinkedIn profile acts as an extension of your CV and is increasingly important for all newly qualified professionals. Make sure it reflects your status as a Chartered Accountant and highlights your key achievements and areas of expertise.A strong LinkedIn presence includes:- A professional photo- A clear title and About section featuring key words- Evidence of achievements and skills- Engagement with relevant content and organisationsPreparing for InterviewsAt interview stage, preparation is the key differentiator. Every interview should be approached in a tailored way—understanding the role, the company, and what they are looking for in a newly qualified Chartered Accountant.Focus your preparation around:1 Your key achievements and examples2 Your strengths and areas for development3 How your experience aligns with the role4 Insightful questions for the interviewerPerforming with ConfidenceDuring the interview, your goal is to combine technical competence with strong interpersonal skills. Employers are not only hiring a Chartered Accountant—they are hiring someone who can communicate, build relationships, and contribute to the wider team.Key points to remember:- Listen carefully and engage- Maintain confident body language and eye contact- Bring your personality into the conversation- Clearly articulate your value and ambitionsSetting Yourself Up for Long-Term SuccessQualifying as a Chartered Accountant opens the door to a wide range of opportunities, but success comes from ongoing career management. Keep your CV updated, refine your interview skills, and continue building your network.I hope the above is useful and remember that upon qualification the full suite of Member Services becomes available to you including your Careers Team so make it your first touchpoint post FAE’s and we will help you navigate the market and career decisions going forward.  Dave Riordan FCA Careers Advisory & Recruitment Specialist Chartered Accountants Ireland Dave.riordan@charteredaccountants.ie

 Modern and functioning infrastructure is critical to the economy and society across the island of Ireland. It is vital to economic resilience and competitiveness, to the decarbonisation of our electricity grid and our transport networks, to building homes, and to the delivery of clean drinking water.Ireland’s record on infrastructureIreland is capable of constructing high quality infrastructure, as can be seen from the successful completion of high-speed broadband connections, state of the art schools, roads and Dublin’s light rail Luas system. The commitment to the Luas project enhanced market confidence to develop and deliver new housing and amenities as the surrounding stops became attractive places to live due to the network’s connectivity.  Between 2011 and 2022, the population within its catchment grew by from 21%-26% and 300,000 jobs within the Dublin Metropolitan Area are now within a 15-minute walk from a Luas stop. Luas commuters have added over €5 billion in Gross Value Added to the economy. In addition at least 10,000 new jobs in the services and technology sectors have located along Luas corridors in the lifetime of the Luas. However, in other instances Ireland’s progress in delivering vital infrastructure has been impeded by under-investment during the financial crisis, as well as by constraints and delays in the approval, planning and procurement processes. Not only have these impacted Ireland’s ability to deliver projects vital for reaching economic, social and environmental targets, they have led to a negative perception of Ireland’s ability to deliver critical infrastructure. This in turn puts Ireland’s ability to attract and retain Foreign Direct Investment at risk, increases the cost to citizens and businesses, and results in poorer services, missed commercial opportunities and environmental degradation.Planning for our futureFurther sustained investment will be critical to Ireland’s success. The delivery of infrastructure is not an issue that can be reserved solely for the public sector and Government. Ireland’s revised National Development Plan commits a record €275.4 billion in public capital investment through 2035. Under this framework, the government has allocated over €102 billion specifically for the 2026–2030 sectoral capital allocations to heavily fund critical utilities, housing delivery, and transport. However, State funding must be augmented by private investment in infrastructure. Attracting this investment requires stronger national and international advocacy from government, businesses, and society to support a positive image of Ireland.Commenting, Head of Public Policy Grant Sweetnam said: “Public discourse around infrastructure must be characterised by ambition and confidence in Ireland’s ability to deliver projects.  We as a country, a society and a business community have a collective interest in getting infrastructure right and we all, from the Government down, need to do a better job making the case for major pieces of infrastructure. The business community needs to stand up and be a passionate advocate for infrastructure projects.”Throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure projects Chartered Accountants Ireland members play an enormous role both in the private sector and public sector. They undertake and assess detailed cost benefit analyses. They identify and quantify risk and examine ways to mitigate it. They provide strategic insight on the most commercially viable options.The Institute’s position: share your perspectivesAs part of our policy work Chartered Accountants Ireland is developing a formal position on infrastructure, with a particular focus on the need to mobilise sufficient finance to support delivery. This work aligns with the objectives of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce. To inform our approach, we have been engaging with stakeholders across business and wider society to gather insights that will shape a constructive, solutions-focused contribution on behalf of our 40,000 members. We welcome member perspectives. Please email: grant.sweetnam@charteredaccountants.ie or susan.rossney@charteredaccountants.ie to contribute.Panel discussion event next weekWe are also hosting a joint event with The British Irish Chamber of Commerce and Chartered Accountants Ireland with an expert panel discussion on Mobilising Private-Sector Investment in Infrastructure. Members are encouraged to register for the session on Tuesday morning 9 June from 8am–10am in Chartered Accountants House. The programme will include a panel discussion featuring Ashleen Feeney, Partner, KPMG Northern Ireland, Donal Murphy, Senior Investment Director, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, James O'Reilly, Chief Executive Officer, Greenlink Interconnector Limited, Seamus Flynn, Managing Director Ireland/UK, Indaver and TJ Hunter, Managing Director, Perigus Energy.Register here 

 Being an accounting student is challenging. You have to contend with work, lectures, study, the pressure of exams and new ways of learning. At the same time, you may be experiencing personal obstacles. Over time, these duties and responsibilities combined can give rise to sustained pressure, to the detriment of your well-being. Why do people need help?Our lives and past experiences shape us, affecting our mental health, and the factors that can cause a decline in our well-being differ for everyone. Students come to us for help for various reasons, but the primary motivators tend to centre on exam pressure and stress, workplace grievances, poor work-life balance, and other personal circumstances, such as illness, grief or family and relationship matters. In 2025, we witnessed a significant increase in the number of students contacting Thrive for help. Most seek support during study leave or exam periods. It is encouraging to see so many take the brave and difficult step to seek help, but earlier intervention in the student journey is important. We want to help prevent students from becoming too overwhelmed and offer support before they falter under the pressure and demands. Numerous factors can negatively impact our mental well-being. Some we can control. Here are five steps you can take yourself to help your mental health: 1. Nourish your mind and body Good nutrition and regular physical activity can offset and relieve stress and feelings of anxiety. Simple things like staying hydrated, reducing caffeine intake, and walking in nature can help.2. RestThe power of sleep in helping to regulate our stress levels should not be understated. Stress and anxiety can lead to sleeping problems, and a lack of sleep can affect your general well-being. 3. Practise mindfulness and meditation Practising mindfulness allows you to become more aware of your emotions and help manage them. Mindfulness can become a valuable tool for easing stress and anxious thoughts with regular practice. 4. Engage in self-compassion and self-care Be kind and encourage yourself. Being hard on ourselves is an all-too-common pattern. Self-compassion is the ability to treat yourself with the same care and kindness as you would a good friend who is going through a difficult or stressful time. Developing compassion within ourselves can help us cope with adversity and make difficult situations more manageable. 5. Seek out professional services, like Thrive How we feel can become all-consuming. If you are struggling, the best thing you can do for your mental health and well-being is to reach out and talk to a professional. Seeking professional support can help you manage stress and poor mental health. The Thrive well-being hub provides a comprehensive mental health and well-being programme that offers a wide range of services tailored to our students’ well-being. All services are delivered in complete confidence and are available at any stage of your journey with the Institute. For more advice or information, check out Thrive’s dedicated well-being hub. Alternatively, you can contact the well-being team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or phone: (+353) 86 0243294.

The Professional Accountancy team and Insolvency Committee has recently published Technical Alert 03 2026 Ethical considerations for Insolvency Practitioners. This Technical Alert is supplementary in nature and is intended to assist members in understanding and applying the ethical requirements of the Code of Ethics in an insolvency context in the Republic of Ireland. This guidance document is not a substitute for the Code of Ethics, and it is intended to highlight certain ethical requirements in the style of Questions and Answers relating to insolvency practice.

In this week’s cross-border trading corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications. The most recent Trader Support Service bulletin is also available as is the latest Brexit and Beyond newsletter from the Northern Ireland Assembly EU Affairs team. Miscellaneous guidance updates and publicationsThis week’s miscellaneous guidance updates and publications are as follows:Apply to claim a repayment or remission of import duty, or reclaim state aid used on ‘at risk’ goods brought into Northern Ireland,Import goods into the UK: step by step,Lost or stolen ATA Carnets or goods covered by a carnet,Destroying goods listed on an ATA Carnet,Destroying goods listed on an ATA Carnet,Transferring an ATA Carnet to another person,How to use your ATA Carnet,Applying for an ATA Carnet,Extending the use of goods abroad when covered by an ATA Carnet,Using the ATA Carnet,Customs prohibitions, restrictions and licences,Replacement ATA Carnets and extensions,Ports, border facilities and logistics,General list of goods,Applying for an ATA Carnet,Legal and regulatory framework,Country specific requirements and variations,Structure of the ATA Carnet, andAdditional forms and procedures.

In this week’s detailed miscellaneous updates which you can read more about below, HMRC has published the latest Spotlight which looks at a property business scheme being marketed to landlords, and a VAT brief of relevance to the further education sector has been published.In addition to the above, readers should also note the following:The minutes of the March 2026 Employer and Payroll Group stakeholder forum, which the Institute participates in, have been published,The National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. This legislation gives HM Treasury the power to make regulations to introduce the £2,000 cap on the National Insurance Contributions exemption for salary sacrificed pension contributions from April 2029,HMRC has published a technical note providing a summary of the new  rules for Inheritance Tax on unused pension funds which will apply to deaths on or after 6 April 2027, and finally,In a landmark case HMRC has lost is argument in the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) case. Last month’s judgment ruled in favour of PGMOL when it held that the contracts of football referees officiating matches in the English Football League were contracts for services and not contracts of employment, and as a result that the referees were self-employed.Latest Spotlight shines light on property schemesHMRC’s latest Spotlight, number 63a, has been published to warn landlords against using a scheme, sometimes referred to as a hybrid business model, which is being marketed as a way to structure a property business in order to reduce tax. Effectively, the model claims to:bypass mortgage interest relief restrictions, thereby falsely allowing increased deductions for mortgage interest for residential properties, andreduce the amount of tax payable on profits from their property businessHMRC’s view is that the scheme does not work. The Spotlight therefore warns landlords who use these arrangements that they could end up paying more tax than they tried to avoid, along with interest, penalties and high fees.The Spotlight explains in detail: how the scheme is intended to work;why HMRC believes that it does not produce the intended tax savings, and what actions taxpayers who have used the scheme should take. HMRC VAT brief for further education institutions HMRC has published Revenue and Customs Brief 3 (2026) following the Court of Appeal  (CoA) decision ‘HMRC v Colchester Institute Corporation [2026] EWCA Civ 363’. In this case, the CoA upheld the decision of the Upper Tribunal that monies received by a further education institution were third party consideration paid by the funding agencies for the supply of education to students. HMRC historically took the view that monies received by these institutions from government funding agencies was a grant and therefore the activity it funded was outside the scope of the VAT system. However, Colchester Institute Corporation successfully argued that the monies represented third party consideration paid by the funding agencies for the supply of education to students.HMRC is not appealing this decision and will consider the decision in consultation with stakeholders. It will announce any policy change in a future brief. HMRC also explains the position for taxpayers who followed the guidance in Revenue and Customs Brief 08/21.  

The deadlines for filing 2025/26 expenses and benefits returns and employment related securities returns are both next month on Monday 6 July 2026. The 2025/26 online filing deadline to apply for a PAYE settlement agreement is Sunday 6 July 2026, with payments due by 22 October 2026 (19 October 2026 if not paying electronically). Here’s a reminder of the key deadlines next month: 6 July 2026: deadline for submitting all 2025/26 P11D(b) and P11D forms (if benefits in kind (BiKs) not processed via payroll) and the employee must receive their copy of the P11D, 6 July 2026: deadline for online reporting of 2025/26 annual returns in respect of employment related securities,19 July 2026: deadline for non-electronic payment of Class 1A National Insurance Contributions (NIC) for 2025/26, and 22 July 2026: deadline for electronic payment of Class 1A NIC for 2025/26. Readers are reminded that from April 2027, mandatory payrolling of most  BiKs and expenses, means that income tax and Class 1A NICs will need to be reported through Real Time Information (RTI) and paid in real time.

We remind readers that Mandatory Tax Adviser Registration commenced last month from 18 May 2026. HMRC has now published updated guidance to help overseas advisers assess their obligations under this legislation which will be of particular interest to our members in Ireland and overseas who may also be required to register for an agent services account. For both overseas and UK based advisers, the first three-month MTAR window may have commenced from 18 May 2026, unless a later start date applies. HMRC has also published a new MTAR manual.After MTAR launched last month, HMRC began hosting weekly stakeholder drop-in sessions for trusted stakeholders, including Chartered Accountants Ireland. The purpose of these sessions is to establish a regular forum to:share feedback on the new service and user experience,highlight any early operational or technical issues, andraise questions or concerns as they arise.HMRC expects these sessions to support early identification and resolution of issues, and to ensure stakeholder insight is captured as the service embeds. These sessions are attended by HMRC representatives from the policy, project delivery, and IT teams responsible for delivering MTAR. Chartered Accountants Ireland therefore encourages members to share their feedback on MTAR with us so that this can then be discussed with HMRC at these sessions.In addition to HMRC’s guidance pages which we have previously shared, HMRC has published a range of additional MTAR resources. An interactive guidance tool is also available in addition to a useful factsheet covering common questions, including: The transition period,The scope of the registration requirement, andThose within businesses (known as relevant individuals) that need to meet the registration conditions.As a reminder, HMRC is introducing the requirement to register in stages. The current timetable to register is as follows:18 May to 18 August 2026New tax advisers, including overseas advisers who do not currently have an Agent Services Account (ASA), or online Self-Assessment or Corporation Tax account. 18 August to 18 November 2026Tax advisers who have an online Self-Assessment or Corporation Tax account, but no ASA. 18 November 2026 to 18 February 2027Tax advisers who solely provide payroll services and who do not have an ASA. 31 December 2026 to 31 March 2027 Financial services organisations with no ASA (a full definition for this group will be set out in secondary legislation).  Tax adviser businesses have three months from the start of their registration window to apply. During this period, and whilst their application is being considered, they can continue to interact with HMRC on behalf of their clients.Those with an existing ASA do not have to register again with HMRC. HMRC will contact these businesses between January and March 2027 so that checks can be conducted against the new registration requirements. To assist members with meeting their obligations under this legislation, the Institute’s MTAR hub contains a suite of resources to help you determine if you are in scope, when you need to register, and what actions you need to take. Further resources on the various sanctions available to HMRC under this legislation will be added to the hub in the coming months.

The European Commission has published a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) resource which affirms that all EU Member States must treat Cyprus as having a qualified income inclusion rule under the EU Pillar Two Directive.