Public Procurement - Horizon Scanner: Infrastructure, Construction, Energy

The Government has published its Autumn 2026 Legislation Programme, identifying 32 bills for priority publication and 32 bills for priority drafting. This article explores a selection of measures likely to be of interest to businesses, spanning digital economy, strategic infrastructure, litigation reform, financial regulation, competition law, corporate structures, employment, pensions, and healthcare sectors.

The European Commission has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of EU public procurement law through a single, directly applicable Regulation that would replace existing Directives. This fundamental reform introduces mandatory quality-weighted award criteria, liberalised negotiation procedures, and entirely new frameworks for security considerations and European preference in public contracting.

The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force to update and streamline public procurement processes, sets out clear rules on when contracts must follow their full scope.

The EU continues its ambitious reform agenda for life sciences regulation, with landmark agreements on pharmaceutical legislation and biotech innovation frameworks. Ireland's Council Presidency is set to drive progress on critical medicines legislation and medical device reforms, while new investment initiatives aim to mobilize billions into Europe's biotech sector.

The European Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism has launched a public consultation on draft regulatory technical standards that will establish harmonised requirements for group-wide AML/CFT frameworks across EU entities and their third-country operations.

The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Act 2021 (the "Act") has been signed into law by the President and is expected to be commenced shortly.

The European Union's evolving regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and health data is creating new compliance challenges and opportunities for life sciences organizations. From the AI Act's refinements to the delayed NIS2 Directive transposition in Ireland, stakeholders must navigate multiple intersecting frameworks while preparing for the European Health Data Space Regulation's implementation.

While our understanding of EU Commission State aid powers has increased greatly in recent years following high-profile EU decisions and court appeals...

The Irish Cabinet has approved a comprehensive legislative programme featuring 64 priority bills spanning artificial intelligence regulation, cybersecurity, tourism, and civil reform. This breakdown examines how these proposed laws will impact various industries and sectors across the economy.

The EU e-Evidence Regulation has entered into force, establishing a new framework for cross-border requests for electronic evidence in criminal proceedings. Service providers operating in the EU now face strict compliance deadlines and significant penalties for non-compliance, while navigating complex rules about data production, preservation orders, and limited grounds for refusal. How will companies balance law enforcement cooperation with fundamental rights protections under this challenging new regime?