In life, it often happens that when someone shares an issue with a friend, they find that "the problem shared is a problem halved". That is a good outcome.
COVID-19In the current information overload, it is difficult to keep track of all that is emerging from the EU on COVID-19. So here are four links that you could usefully read:
COVID-19Brexit seemed the most difficult issue facing the UK and the European Union until both sides encountered the "life or death" COVID-19 crisis.
BrexitThe speed of developments in regard to the COVID-19 crisis is typified by the fact that the European Commission's State Aid Temporary Framework to support the economy (the "Temporary Framework") which was adopted on 19 March 2020 had to be amended and extended on 3 April 2020.
COVID-19Consumer protection law in Ireland is mainly enforced by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). On 2 April 2020, the CCPC issued an alert entitled "COVID-19 Business Reminder – Payment Methods".
COVID-19Public bodies across the globe urgently require essential goods and services to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. The European Commission has published helpful guidance which acknowledges that direct award of contracts to suppliers without tender competitions may be justified at this time.
COVID-19The European Union has faced various tests in recent years. COVID-19 is testing the EU's responses in both new and well-tried ways. It is useful to take an overview of some of the EU's responses:
COVID-19The European Commission has found a €200m Irish scheme (the Irish Scheme) to support companies affected by the COVID-19 outbreak to be in conformity with the EU's State aid rules. This is consistent with a number of other recent State aid notifications by other Member States (such as Germany, France, UK and Spain) to the European Commission in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak.
COVID-19On 25 March 2020, Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) published on its website the European Competition Network's (ECN) joint statement on the relationship between the COVID-19 crisis and competition law.
COVID-19The COVID-19 crisis poses new challenges for business leaders and general counsel a like. A&L Goodbody's EU, Competition and Procurement group have prepared a guide on how best to deal with some of those challenges.
COVID-19The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted businesses and governments across the globe. Governments and the European Commission are working at speed to address and support citizens in the current pandemic.
COVID-19Where a transaction must be notified to the European Commission under the EU Merger Regulation, DG COMP has encouraged the merging parties to delay the submission of the merger notification until further notice. It is also temporarily accepting e-filings and permitting the delivery of hard copy originals to be arranged at a later time.
COVID-19