New legislation to amend Irish law on gaming and lotteries has recently been enacted and is expected to be commenced shortly. The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 (the 2019 Act) makes a number of changes to the licensing regime for gaming and lotteries. This legislation is an interim measure, pending broader legal reform for the Irish gambling industry.
Betting, Gaming & Licensing
2019 was a significant year for the Irish offshore wind sector. We have set out some of the key achievements in 2019 and so far in 2020 and the key deliverables for 2020.
Energy & Natural ResourcesSFTR reporting, ESMA annual report on AIFs, Brexit, ESMA's Strategic Orientation for 2020-22, ESMA's Q&A process, Cryptoassets and SEC proposal to update Accredited Investor definition.
Asset Management & Investment FundsDeadlines, CBI on UCITS financial indices, CBI on investment by UCITS in CFDs, CLOs, CoCos and binary options, CBI Supervisory Priorities, Migration of Participating Securities Act, CBI 2019 Enforcement Actions, CBI Markets Updates...
Asset Management & Investment FundsWe have outlined below some developments that can be expected in 2020.
EmploymentOn Friday night next, 31 January, the United Kingdom is expected to leave the European Union after 47 years and one month of membership.
BrexitThe Central Bank of Ireland issued revised guidance in July 2019 on UCITS financial indices. In January 2020, the Central Bank of Ireland clarified the pre- and post-authorisation certification and confirmation process in that guidance.
Asset Management & Investment FundsThe Central Bank of Ireland delivered an address on 15 January 2020 outlining the supervisory and enforcement priorities for 2020. This provides firms with an important indication of the Central Bank's focus. This is particularly the case given the link between supervisory engagement through thematic reviews, 'risk mitigation programmes' and 'skilled persons' reviews and ultimately enforcement act
Financial RegulationThe High Court refused a recent application by Ryanair for an injunction to prevent its former Chief Operations Officer (COO) (Mr Bellew) from joining easyJet. It held the restriction in question was void and unenforceable as an unjustified restraint of trade....
EmploymentIrish merger deals notified to the CCPC in 2019 drop by over half but rebound seems underway
Corporate & M&ADomestically, the proposal of a Bill to establish a cross-border agency for criminal activity in Ireland and Northern Ireland, and a speech by Michael Hodson of the CBI; At European level, new European Council conclusions on the deepening of the Capital Markets Union, and AML; joint guidelines on AML published by the European Supervisory Authorities....
Financial Regulation
