CCPC welcomes public consultation on proposed changes to merger notification thresholds
March 23, 2026
23 March 2026 – The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) welcomes the launch by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment of a public consultation on proposals to raise the financial thresholds at which mergers and acquisitions must be notified to the CCPC.
Under the Competition Act 2002, as amended, mergers and acquisitions which meet certain financial thresholds, and all media mergers, must be notified to the CCPC for review. Currently, a merger notification must be made to the CCPC if in the most recent financial year the aggregate turnover in the State of the undertakings involved is not less than €60,000,000, and, the turnover in the State of each of two or more of the undertakings involved is not less than €10,000,000. The CCPC reviews these transactions to determine whether they may result in a substantial lessening of competition in the State. This is likely to 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 market(s), market research and consultations with suppliers, customers and competitors of merging parties.
In 2025, the CCPC recommended to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment that the financial thresholds for mandatory notification be increased. Under the 2002 Act, the Minister 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. Raising the merger thresholds would allow the CCPC 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.
Geoffrey Gray, CCPC Commission Member, said:
“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.
“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.
“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 2026 and is available on the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment’s website.
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