WEALTH March 23, 2026 0 Comments

Unlocking Big Wins or Silent Risks? The Game-Changing Move to Raise M&A Financial Thresholds You Can’t Afford to Ignore!

Ever wondered if there’s a magic number that decides when a business deal gets the government’s eagle eye? Well, Ireland’s shaking up its merger notification game — proposing to raise the financial thresholds that trigger a mandatory alert to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). Currently, if companies cross that neat €60 million turnover line, or hit €10 million individually in the state, they have to ring the CCPC’s bell. But times change, inflation creeps in, and businesses grow — so why should those numbers stay stuck in the past? The CCPC isn’t just crunching numbers for fun; they’re the watchdog making sure mergers don’t muzzle competition, jack up prices, or stifle innovation for consumers. Now, with the government’s new public consultation underway until May 1st, it’s your chance to weigh in on whether raising these thresholds strikes the right balance between regulation and growth — ensuring the watchdog focuses on the deals that truly matter. Ready to dive deeper and see if Ireland’s merger rules are keeping pace with today’s economic hustle? LEARN MORE.

The government has launched a public consultation on proposals to raise the financial threshold at which mergers and acquisitions must be notified to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).

At present, a merger notification must be made to the CCPC if in the most recent financial year the aggregate turnover in the Republic of Ireland of the entities involved is more than €60m and the turnover in the state of each of two or more of the undertakings involved is more than €10m.

The CCPC reviews M&A transactions to determine whether they may result in a substantial lessening of competition in the state, which could potentially harm consumers through higher prices, reduced choice or less innovation.

The work undertaken by the CCPC during a merger investigation may include in-depth economic analyses of the affected markets, market research and consultations with suppliers, customers and competitors of merging parties.

Last year, the CCPC recommended to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment that the financial thresholds for mandatory notification be increased, and the watchdog has welcomed the the decision to launch a public consultation.

Under the 2002 Competition Act, the Minister for Enterprise has the power to raise the thresholds at most once a year.

The thresholds were last uplifted in 2019, after there were 98 merger notifications in 2018.

The uplift led to a subsequent fall in notifications; however, notifications have increased year-on-year since then, with 90 mergers notified last year compared to 47 in 2019.

A key priority for the CCPC is to ensure that Ireland’s merger regime remains effective and proportionate, and raising the merger thresholds would allow the body to focus its resources on higher value mergers that, historically, have been more likely to raise competition concerns and harm consumers.

It would also take account of inflation and bring Ireland more closely into line with comparable EU economies, as well as supporting the government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burden on businesses.

In relation to lower value mergers which may raise competition concerns, the CCPC also has the power to review below threshold mergers, where necessary, through its ‘call in’ power introduced by the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022.

“An effective merger review regime must be effective, efficient and proportionate. As the volume and complexity of transactions continues to evolve, it’s important that the system keeps pace with economic realities,” said CCPC member Geoffrey Gray.

“Updating the financial thresholds would ensure that mandatory notifications are focused on mergers most likely to raise competition concerns and reduce costs for businesses engaging in smaller non problematic mergers.

M&A Consultation — The consultation is open until 1 May.

“The thresholds have remained unchanged since 2019. Taking account of inflation, the introduction of statutory call in powers, and the wider aim of reducing regulatory burden on businesses, we believe it is timely and appropriate to review and modernise the thresholds now.”

The CCPC encourages stakeholders to review the consultation and provide their views. The consultation runs until 1 May and is available here.

(Pic: Getty Images)