GCR Know How: State Aid 2016 - Ireland

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission received 44 merger notifications in the first half of 2026, marking a 13% increase from the previous year and signaling robust Irish transaction activity. This analysis examines the CCPC's review timelines, procedural trends, and the regulator's historic first use of its merger call-in power in the Uniphar/Touchstore transaction. With new financial thresholds taking effect in July 2026 and evolving enforcement patterns, understanding these developments is c

The Court of Justice of the European Union has drawn a critical distinction between company-owned systems and employee-owned devices in competition investigations, establishing that workplace communications retain Charter protection regardless of their business nature.

Matheson has contributed to The Global Legal Post's Law Over Borders Merger Control Law Guide, offering jurisdiction-specific insights into merger control regimes worldwide. Calum Warren and Simon Shinkwin provide a comprehensive overview of Ireland's merger control framework, covering everything from jurisdictional scope to enforcement mechanisms.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled on the extent of competition authorities' powers to seize business emails during antitrust investigations without prior judicial authorization. This landmark decision addresses fundamental questions about the balance between effective competition law enforcement and the protection of corporate communications under EU fundamental rights law.

A leading Irish law firm's Competition and Regulated Markets Group provides comprehensive merger control advisory services, handling complex cases before the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and European Commission. The team also navigates Ireland's foreign direct investment screening regime, assisting international investors and Irish businesses with national security and public order considerations in cross-border transactions.

Our team combines specialist competition law knowledge with practical litigation experience to represent clients in complex antitrust disputes before Irish courts. We handle everything from appeals of infringement decisions and procedural challenges to follow-on and standalone damages actions. With expertise spanning case assessment, pleadings, expert strategy, discovery, and interlocutory relief, we navigate the full spectrum of competition litigation matters.

This privacy statement outlines how the organization handles cookies and user data collection through its digital platforms. It explains the consent mechanism for different categories of cookies, including analytics and targeting technologies that track user behavior and preferences.

Ireland's merger notification regime has undergone significant reform with new financial thresholds taking effect from 1 July 2026, raising the aggregate turnover requirement from €60 million to €100 million and individual turnover from €10 million to €15 million. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission's first-ever use of its call-in power in the Uniphar/TouchStore transaction demonstrates how below-threshold deals with competitive significance will remain subject to regu

Ireland is raising its merger control notification thresholds effective July 2026, with the aggregate turnover requirement increasing from €60 million to €100 million and individual undertaking thresholds rising from €10 million to €15 million.

Ireland is raising the financial thresholds for mandatory merger control notifications from July 2026, increasing the combined Irish turnover requirement from €60 million to €100 million and the individual turnover threshold from €10 million to €15 million. This change follows recommendations from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and a public consultation process, with significant implications for transaction notification requirements and regulatory oversight.