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ARTICLE · 21 MARCH 2025

Essential Considerations For Irish Public Company Takeovers

William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP
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William Fry LLP

William Fry LLP

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Where the target in a public takeover is an Irish incorporated public company with a listing on a recognised securities exchange (TargetCo), the acquisition process is regulated...

IrelandCorporate/Commercial Law
Mark Talbot
Mark Talbot
Myra Garrett
Myra Garrett
Brian Butterwick
Brian Butterwick
Fiachra Cork
Fiachra Cork
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A Summary Guide to the Irish Takeover Rules

Introduction

Where the target in a public takeover is an Irish incorporated public company with a listing on a recognised securities exchange (TargetCo), the acquisition process is regulated by the Irish Takeover Panel Act 1997, Takeover Rules, 2022 (the Takeover Rules).

This is a broad summary of selected areas of the Takeover Rules. A more detailed explanation of any aspect of the takeover process under Irish law will be provided on request, contact details below.

Methods of Acquisition

The two principal ways of acquiring an Irish-listed public company are by (i) a court-approved scheme of arrangement or (ii) general offer.1 It is also possible to use the European Cross-Border Merger Regulations to effect the acquisition by merger of an Irish-listed public company, although to date the only announced transaction, the proposed merger of Northern Foods plc and Greencore Group plc, which sought to use the merger

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