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ARTICLE · 04 FEBRUARY 2022

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Irish Competition Law Update: 20 Things You Need To Know About Irish Competition Law Changes

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Irish competition law is set to be revolutionised by the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022 (the "Bill") published this week with enactment expected in the coming months.

European UnionAntitrust/Competition Law
Kate McKenna
Kate McKenna
Calum Warren
Calum Warren
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Irish competition law is set to be revolutionised by the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022 (the "Bill") published this week with enactment expected in the coming months.  The key changes include (i) huge new criminal fines not exceeding the greater of €50 million or up to 20% of turnover for 'cartel' offences, (ii) new civil fines of €10 million or up to 10% of turnover (whichever is greater) or a range of other civil sanctions by a new independent panel of adjudicators within the Irish regulators, (iii) new interim order powers for the Irish regulators in competition enforcement and merger control cases, (iv) a new fully-fledged 'whistle-blower' or leniency regime with fine reductions for firms that co-operate with the regulators, and (v) new merger control powers for the regulator to compel notification and potentially unwind 'below threshold' mergers that are not subject to mandatory notification. 

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