On March 18 2020 the Competition and Consumer Protection
Commission (CCPC) published their COVID-19
Temporary Merger Notification Process. As the CCPC are required to
comply with binding statutory deadlines when reviewing notified
mergers and acquisitions, they have set out some steps that
businesses can take in order assist them in carrying out their
merger review functions during these challenging times.
Delay Notifications
The review of mergers involves the CCPC collecting and assessing information from a various number of parties. The collection of such information is likely to be very difficult in the coming weeks due to COVID-19 disruptions.
As a result of this, the CCPC is encouraging notifying parties where possible to delay filing planned merger notifications until further notice.
Digital Notifications – Where it is not possible to delay notifications
Although filing hard copy notifications to the CCPC premises is still possible, it will become more and more difficult over the coming weeks as the presence of staff at these premises will likely be reduced.
Therefore the CCPC requests that notification forms and all supporting documents (material contained in annexes and appendices to the notification form) required by the CCPC be submitted in electronic format by email to mergers@ccpc.ie.
If you intend to submit a notification, or are having difficulty submitting a digital notification, then contact the Director of Competition Enforcement and Mergers at +353 (0)1 470 3683, or alternatively email mergers@ccpc.ie and a team member will endeavour to assist.
Temporary Notification Process
Notification of a merger or acquisition must be done by completing and submitting the merger notification form to the CCPC, together with all supporting documentation." Completed notification forms and all accompanying supporting documentation must be submitted to the CCPC in electronic format by email to mergers@ccpc.ie.
Notifications must be submitted to the CCPC before 4.30pm from Monday to Friday.
Similarly, required documents must be submitted to the CCPC under the correct reference number before 4.30pm from Monday to Friday.
If an automated acknowledgement of your notification is not received within 2 hours, then call +353 (0)1 470 3683.
Notification Fee
Notification of a merger or acquisition must be accompanied by a fee of €8,000. The fee is payable by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the CCPC using the bank account details set out in the merger notification form.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.