TITLE: Ireland's Government Publications Office Enacts European Union Restrictive Measures Concerning Syria Regulations
BODY:
On May 26, 2026, Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, enacted Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No. 219/2026, the European Union (Restrictive Measures concerning Syria) Regulations 2026. The regulation implements Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 of January 18, 2012, as amended, into Irish law to give full effect to European Union (EU) restrictive measures concerning Syria.
The regulation establishes criminal offences for contraventions of specified provisions within the Council Regulation. Persons found guilty of breaching the restrictive measures face penalties including fines and imprisonment. On summary conviction, offenders may receive a class A fine or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. On conviction on indictment, penalties increase to fines not exceeding €500,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both. The regulation permits authorised persons to conduct activities in compliance with the terms and conditions of their authorisation under specified articles of the Council Regulation. Competent authorities in Ireland may issue written directions to enforce the regulations, with failure to comply constituting an offence punishable by a class A fine or imprisonment for up to six months on summary conviction. The regulation extends to acts committed outside Ireland by Irish citizens, with proceedings requiring consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The regulation revokes the European Union (Restrictive Measures concerning Syria) (No. 3) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 486 of 2025).
The notice of this statutory instrument was published in Iris Oifigiúil on May 29, 2026. The regulation incorporates 85 amending EU acts spanning from January 2012 through May 2026.