Financial Services Perspectives: November 2026 | Ireland asset management

Ireland for finance – vision 2030

The Government’s renewed Ireland for Finance – Vision 2030 strategy identifies funds and asset management as a high-impact sector and sets out a stronger focus on competitiveness, innovation and delivery. Key growth areas include ETFs, private assets and tokenisation, building on Ireland’s established position as a major international funds domicile.

Of particular relevance to the industry is the commitment to progress legislative changes to facilitate tokenised funds, including amendments to the ICAV and Companies Acts, alongside modernisation of the 1907 Limited Partnership framework to support the continued development of private assets. The strategy also reflects a broader ambition to align

Ireland’s funds proposition with developments in digital finance and evolving investor demand.
What this means for you: Asset managers and service providers should consider how the evolving policy and legislative framework may support new products, structures and distribution models. The focus on ETFs, private assets and tokenisation may create opportunities across asset management, administration, depositary, governance, technology and other professional services, while increasing the importance of operational readiness for digital and private-market products.

CBI focus on delegation, governance and substance

The Central Bank of Ireland published the findings of its extensive review of delegation practices across the Irish funds sector in July 2026. The review covered all 121 Irish Fund Management Companies, followed by 41 detailed desk-based assessments and 21 onsite inspections representing more than 35% of sector assets under management.

While the CBI recognised progress and generally strong practices across the sector, it identified areas requiring enhancement in some firms, including board independence, over-reliance on group-level committees, resourcing, contingency planning and access to data. The CBI emphasised that responsibility and accountability remain with the FMC notwithstanding delegation and that governance and oversight must be substantive rather than merely procedural. The CBI is also reviewing the wider FMC governance framework, including simplification of the FMC Guidance and PCF framework and consideration of how SEAR could be applied proportionately to the funds sector.

What this means for you: ManCos, AIFMs and fund boards should assess whether their delegation arrangements are supported by demonstrable and effective oversight. Particular attention should be given to board challenge and independence, the adequacy of local resources, direct access to information from delegates, contingency arrangements and the quality of evidence retained to demonstrate ongoing oversight. The findings are likely to influence supervisory engagement and governance expectations across the sector.

Deemed disposal – reform moving up the agenda

While the investment-fund tax rate was reduced from 41% to 38% from January 2026, attention has increasingly shifted towards more fundamental reform of Ireland’s investment taxation framework.

The Government has acknowledged concerns that the existing regime can discourage long-term retail investment. The Minister for Finance has described deemed disposal as “outdated”, while the Government’s retail investment roadmap identifies further consideration of deemed disposal, tax rates and administrative simplification as part of reforms from Budget 2028 onwards. Separately, the proposed new Savings and Investment Account is expected not to be subject to the eight-year deemed disposal requirement.

What this means for you: although abolition of deemed disposal has not been confirmed, the policy direction indicates a clear appetite for reform. Material changes could improve the attractiveness of funds and ETFs to Irish retail investors, encourage greater household participation in capital markets and create opportunities for asset managers and distributors seeking to expand their Irish retail investment offering.

Click here to access the full PDF version of our Financial Services Perspectives briefing - November 2026.