Minister Burke signs regulations enforcing European Union sanctions on Congo

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., has made S.I. No. 502 of 2026, the European Union (Restrictive Measures Concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo) (No.2) Regulations 2026. The regulations provide for the enforcement in the State of the restrictive measures concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were published in Iris Oifigiúil No. 80 of Tuesday, 6 October 2026, in section I.

The regulations were made in the exercise of the powers conferred on the Minister by section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972 (No. 27 of 1972), the standing statutory basis under which Irish ministers give domestic effect to European Union sanctions. The instrument enforces the restrictive measures contained in Council Regulation (EU) No. 1183/2005. Its title designates it as the second set of regulations made in 2026 on this file, following the earlier regulations of the same name.

What the regulations do

The instrument sets out a three-part enforcement mechanism:

• Competent authorities of the State may issue directions for the purpose of giving full effect to the sanctions.
• Offences are created for breach of the Council Regulations.
• Offences are created for failure to comply with the directions of competent authorities of the State with regard to implementation of the sanctions.
• Appropriate penalties are provided for in respect of those offences.

The effect is that the sanctions no longer rest only on the European Union instrument: directions issued by the State’s competent authorities become binding, and non-compliance with them is itself an offence.

Who is covered

The regulations bind persons and bodies in the State that are subject to the restrictive measures concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and any party required to act on a direction issued by a competent authority of the State. Two distinct routes to liability are created: breach of the Council Regulations themselves, and failure to comply with a direction of a competent authority of the State on implementation of the sanctions. Both routes carry penalties.

Publication and availability

• Price: €3.00.
• Copies may be purchased from Government Publications, Mountshannon Road, Kilmainham, Dublin, D08 XA06.
• Telephone: 046 942 3100.
• Email: publications@opw.ie.

The notice appears in the same issue as S.I. No. 503 of 2026, the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 (Property Vesting Day) Order 2026, made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Why it matters

For exporters, financial institutions and anyone transacting with persons or entities covered by the Congo sanctions regime, the regulations convert a European Union obligation into an enforceable domestic duty backed by criminal offences and penalties. The directions power gives the State’s competent authorities a direct instrument for securing compliance, and the offence provisions mean that ignoring either the Council Regulations or a State direction now carries legal consequences in Ireland.

Source: Iris Oifigiúil, No. 80, 6 October 2026, section I (official reference: S.I. No. 502 of 2026).