Public procurement
The government has launched its first national public procurement strategy, designed to boost transparency and help smaller businesses and startups successfully bid for government contracts. It is aimed at all public service bodies (including departments and agencies) and applies to the procurement of goods, services and works by the public sector in Ireland.
Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers says he wants ‘disciplined, evidence-based procurement, ensuring that procurement decisions are justified, expenditure is effectively controlled and public funds deliver the best possible value for money’.
Procuring for Our Future proposes a procurement system that embeds sustainability, innovation and resilience into policy and practice. It aims to leverage the needs and experiences of policymakers, public buyers and suppliers, and offer greater simplification through using digital and emerging technologies in procedures.
Witholding tax reform
A joint consultation report from the Department of Finance and Revenue has found support for the government’s proposed new withholding tax (eWHT) model to be heavily qualified, and dependent on the detailed design and implementation of any future regime.
The planned modernisation of withholding taxes through greater digital integration, real-time reporting and automation would replace the existing relevant contracts tax and professional services withholding tax with a single digital system.
Responses to the report from businesses, tax professionals, representative bodies, public sector organisations and other stakeholders found that 44.2% backed eWHT, but 19.9% were undecided, 16.5% had concerns and 16.9% were opposed.
Cashflow impacts of e-withholding taxes were a significant concern
Supportive respondents liked the potential for tax obligations being more visible and accurate, and the reduction in administrative/compliance burden, as well as greater integration with existing systems, and better cashflow management and tax planning.
The main concerns related to administrative burden, compliance costs and operational complexity. Respondents expressed reservations about additional reporting obligations, potential software development costs, staff training requirements and the transfer of additional compliance responsibilities to businesses. Cashflow impacts were a significant concern, particularly among taxpayers currently subject to withholding taxes.
EU copyright law
The government is to press for changes to EU copyright law to give member states more flexibility over restricting royalty payments to musicians who are not European Economic Area nationals, if their own countries restrict such payments to Irish musicians.
A change in Irish copyright law, made in the Copyright and Related Rights Amendment Act 2026, came into effect on 29 April 2026, following a Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in September 2020 in a case referred by the Irish High Court (RAAP v PPI).
The EU’s Rental and Lending Directive, the WIPO’s Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) and the Rome Convention require that a single equitable remuneration, payable when music is played in public or broadcast, is shared between producers and performers. EU member states cannot reciprocate reservations entered by contracting states under the WPPT to similarly limit the right to a single equitable remuneration for nationals of those states; this must be done at EU level.
Peter Burke, the minister for enterprise, says: ‘As we prepare for our upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU, Ireland will work with the European Commission and with member states in the Council to help to find a solution that balances the various interests and concerns expressed by member states, to be addressed via a legislative proposal from the European Commission, which we hope can be proposed without undue delay.’
Fitness and probity
The Central Bank of Ireland has released supplemental guidance for prohibition notices issued under its fitness and probity regime preventing certain professionals performing a ‘controlled function’ role within a bank or financial service. The advice explains how the central bank appoints ’prohibition decision-makers’ to make such a decision and under what circumstances prohibition notices can be made.
European digital innovation hubs
The government is providing €23m of additional funding for Ireland’s four European digital innovation hubs, helping them work with small and medium-sized enterprises and public service bodies to boost their use of AI and other key digital technologies including cybersecurity and high-performance computing. The four hubs – FactoryXChange, Data2Sustain, Entire and Ceadar – offer technical expertise, experimentation, financial advice, training and skills.
Ethics
The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants has issued new guidance for accountants developing, implementing or using emerging technologies in public practice and business. The advice emphasises that, irrespective of automation or technological sophistication, professional accountants remain responsible for their judgments and decisions. It highlights the importance of an inquiring mind, professional judgment and human oversight when evaluating technology-driven outputs.
