Competition and Regulated Markets
The Screening of Third Country Transactions Act 2023 gives the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment wide-ranging powers to review foreign investments which meet specified criteria.
2023 and 2024 saw a wave of increased dawn raid activity with the CCPC undertaking several unannounced inspections.
Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regime
The Screening of Third Country Transactions Act 2023 commenced on 6 January 2025. It gives the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment wide-ranging powers to review foreign investments which meet specified criteria and ultimately to block investments that create national security and/or public order risks in Ireland.
The Act will have significant implications for in-scope transactions. Parties to transactions will need to assess the applicability of the new regime and, where a filing obligation arises, there may be a lengthy review period which may impact deal timetables.
Read our in-depth briefing here.
Increase in CCPC’s Enforcement Activity
2025 is likely to see continued enforcement activity from the CCPC, reflecting a busy 2023 and 2024.
The CCPC’s increased enforcement activity follows the implementation of the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 in September 2023. The Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 made significant changes to the competition law enforcement regime in Ireland, strengthening the power of the CCPC in domestic antitrust enforcement. 2023 and 2024 saw a wave of increased dawn raid activity with the CCPC undertaking several unannounced inspections.
The CCPC’s expanded powers and recent activity mean that Irish businesses are facing the increased risk of unannounced inspections in 2025 and beyond.