The CCAB issued updated AML Guidance for members in July 2026. The word ‘sanction’ or ‘sanctions’ or ‘sanctioned’ now appears 131 times, compared to 23 times in the last version in published in 2022. Suffice to say that verifying the sanctions status of clients is now an important features of AML client due diligence (CDD)
Ireland does not implement an autonomous sanctions regime of its own but enacts legislation for both UN and EU sanctions and embargoes.
Sanctions (according to the website of the website of the Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment) are also referred to as ‘restrictive measures’ are legally binding measures that can be taken against individuals, entities or countries. Sanctions are adopted by the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and through decisions taken at European Union level.
UN sanctions
Information on UN sanctions from their 14 UN sanctions committees may be found on the UN sanctions website. The UN also publishes a consolidated list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council.
EU sanctions
Summaries of all EU sanctions regimes are available on the EU Sanctions Map website.
All the templates on our website have had a refresh as of June 2026 and the letters of engagement have had a new paragraph added for the potential use of artificial intelligence and machine learning on client assignments along with auto enrolment for payroll assignments. There is a bulk discount (five templates for the price of four) for purchases of five or more templates when purchased in a single transaction.
If you need an up-to-date engagement letter, there is a search bar near the bottom of our home page (www.jmcc.ie) to quickly look up the item you need. More details see here.
For those of you still in the process of ISQM 1 implementation, please see our ISQM TOOLKIT or if you prefer to chat through the different audit risks and potential appropriate responses presented by this new standard, please call or e-mail John McCarthy FCA or e-mail him at john@jmcc.ie.
We typically tailor our training and brainstorming sessions to suit each firm’s unique requirements.
Publications:
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- The ISQM TOOLKIT 2022 is available to purchase here.
- See our latest Anti-Money Laundering Policies Controls & Procedures Manual (March 2022) – View the Table of Contents click here.
- To ensure your letters of engagement and similar templates are up to date visit our site here where immediate downloads are available in Word format. A bulk discount is available for orders of five or more items if bought together
