Irish Merger Control In Focus: The CCPC's First Call-in And Threshold Reform

Irish merger control is being reshaped at both policy and enforcement level. Ongoing debate as to the appropriate breadth of jurisdiction under Part 3 of the Competition Act 2002 (as amended) has sharpened focus on whether reform is now warranted. At the same time, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ("CCPC") has, for the first time, exercised its statutory power to call in and review a transaction that fell outside the mandatory notification regime. Taken together, these developments reflect an evolution in both the scope and operation of Irish merger control law, with direct implications for transaction risk and deal planning.

CCPC exercises call-in powers for the first time