Further Proof of Irish Trend of Behavioural Remedies and Long
Length of Irish Process
The Irish competition regulator has this week cleared a media
merger, subject to a behavioural remedy of 'ring-fencing'.
However, the parties cannot complete the deal for some time
yet, as a separate Irish media plurality process may only commence
now such that the total length of the Irish 'standstill
obligation' could be more than 9 months.
In M/18/016 Trinity Mirror/Northern &
Shell, acquirer Reach plc (formerly Trinity Mirror)
undertook to 'ring-fence' the acquired shareholding in a
joint venture with a competitor in order to secure competition
clearance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
("CCPC"). This behavioural remedy
is intended to prevent access to competitively sensitive
information in the context of post-merger management of the joint
venture. The CCPC has a long track record of accepting
behavioural remedies and in particular 'ring-fencing'
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