From 1 July 2026, the financial thresholds triggering mandatory notifications of Irish mergers and acquisitions to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) have been increased under the Competition Act 2002.

Since 2019, before completing a merger or takeover or a change in control of businesses operating in Ireland, the acquiring and selling undertakings involved were required to notify the CCPC for approval if, in the most recent financial year:

• the aggregate turnover of the undertakings involved in the State was at least €60 million
• the individual turnover in the State of each of at least two of the undertakings involved was €10 million or more.

Under the revised thresholds, mandatory notification is now required where, in the most recent financial year:

• the aggregate turnover of the undertakings involved in the State is at least €100 million
• the individual turnover in the State of each of at least two of the undertakings involved is €15 million or more.

The revised thresholds are intended to reduce the regulatory burden on smaller transactions while allowing the CCPC to focus its resources on mergers that are more likely to raise competition concerns. Importantly, the CCPC retains its power to review certain transactions that fall below the notification thresholds where they may have an impact on competition (media mergers remain subject to a different regime) and undertakings remain free to consider notification on a voluntary basis even where the financial thresholds are not satisfied. This power was exercised for the first time on 20 March 2026 to call in for review the acquisition of pharmacy dispensing software provider TouchStore Limited by retail and wholesale pharmaceutical provider, Uniphar PLC.

The notification process and related requirements remain the same for mergers which satisfy the new financial thresholds.

If you would like to discuss the impact of the revised Irish merger notification thresholds or require advice on a proposed merger, acquisition or investment, please contact Ken Casey or your usual Hayes contact.