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Domestic
European
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Domestic
Flood Insurance Working Group launched by Department of Finance
On 11 August 2026, the Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, announced the establishment of a new Flood Insurance Protection Gap Working Group (the Working Group).
The Working Group includes representatives from government departments, agencies, insurers and other key stakeholders. The aim of the Working Group is to develop practical flood insurance solutions and improve flood-event risk management. The Working Group will consider measures aimed at addressing the flood insurance protection gap and the availability of commercial and household insurance in flood-risk areas.
The establishment of the Working Group follows the introduction of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform 2025–2029, which aims to improve affordability, transparency, competition and availability across the domestic insurance market.
Central Bank of Ireland Consultation on refinements to the domestic actuarial regime and related governance requirements under Solvency II
On 20 July 2026, the Central Bank of Ireland (the CBI), launched a consultation on the Domestic Actuarial Regime (DAR) and related governance requirements under Solvency II.
The consultation paper acknowledges that since the introduction of the DAR, the Irish insurance industry has changed considerably and is proposing refinements to the DAR to reflect these changes. The CBI proposes refinements regarding the:
The closing date for consultation submissions is 20 October 2026.
Commencement of landmark ‘Right to be Forgotten’ legislation for cancer survivors
On 24 August 2026, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State Robert Troy announced the commencement dates for the landmark ‘Right to be Forgotten’ legislation.
Part 2 of the Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 (the Act) requires insurers offering mortgage protection insurance policies in Ireland to disregard a person’s prior cancer diagnosis where they have been “cancer free” for five years prior to an application. The commencement order provides that these key provisions under Part 2 of the Act will come into operation on 15 October 2026.
Part 3 of the Act also introduced changes to the powers of the Central Bank of Ireland to present a petition to wind-up insurers and reinsurers. The Act amends certain provisions of the Insurance Act 1936 (1936 Act) to expand the definition of “assurance company” to include both insurers and reinsurers, and broaden the circumstances under which the CBI can petition for a (re)insurer to be wound-up. Part 3 of the Act was commenced on 24 August 2026.
Ireland for Finance Strategy 2030
On 25 August 2026, the government launched the new Ireland for Finance Strategy ‘Vision 2030 – Renewed and Refocused for a Digital Age’ (the strategy). The strategy recognises the important role insurance plays within Ireland’s international financial services ecosystem and, importantly, identifies international and specialty insurance as a strong growth opportunity for Ireland.
Specialty insurance covering areas such as cyber, climate and catastrophe risk, marine and aviation, and political risks are among the fastest growing segments of the insurance market and servicing such complex, cross border risks at scale can position Ireland as a strategic hub for EU authorised specialty insurers serving global markets.
The strategy notes Insurance Ireland will support the international engagement work of government, coordinated through the HQ market team (a governmental group within the Department of Foreign Affairs) and the Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market. The Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform 2025–2029 aims to further strengthen this position by promoting innovation, upskilling, and industry collaboration in emerging Insurtech areas.
European
EU Commission requests EIOPA’s technical advice on the content of delegated acts under the IDD in the context of RIS
The Commission is seeking EIOPA’s technical advice on possible and existing delegated acts concerning the IDD in the context of the Retail Investment Strategy (RIS). The request follows the adoption of the RIS by the Commission in May 2023, which aims to enhance retail participation in capital markets.
The Commission has requested EIOPA’s advice by 1 October 2027 and is expected to consider the following issues in the context of insurance distribution:
Date published: 15 September 2026
This publication provides an overview of certain legal and regulatory developments that may be of interest to certain entities. It does not purport to provide analysis of law or legal advice and is strictly for information purposes only.