Ireland: Entry into force of the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022 providing the Irish competition authority with additional powers

On 27 September 2023, the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 entered into force, marking an expansion of the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission's (CCPC) enforcement powers. Previously limited to court-imposed penalties after criminal proceedings, the CCPC can now directly issue fines up to EUR 10'000'000 or 10% of a company's global annual turnover for breaches of Irish and EU competition law. In addition, the Act introduced an administrative leniency programme, offering immunity or reductions in sanctions for companies disclosing involvement in anti-competitive practices. The Act also bolsters the CCPC's investigative capabilities into anti-competitive behaviour.