1 Relevant Authorities and Legislation
1.1 Who is/are the relevant merger
authority(ies)?
The Irish Competition Authority (the "Competition
Authority") is responsible for the promotion and enforcement
of competition law in Ireland. It is an independent body originally
established under the Competition Act, 1991. The workings of the
Competition Authority are governed by the Competition Act, 2002, as
amended (the "Competition Act"). Part 3 of the
Competition Act, which came into force on 1 January 2003, governs
Ireland's merger control regime. The Competition Authority has
sole responsibility for non-media mergers and mergers not involving
"credit institutions" necessary to maintain the stability
of the financial system of the State. Currently each of the
Competition Authority and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and
Innovation (the "Minister") has a role as regards media
mergers. Draft legislation in the form of the Consumer and
Competition Law Bill is expected to be
