The threat to global health caused by COVID-19 has led to unprecedented collaboration from the global scientific research community to urgently develop a vaccine. Given the prevalence of data sharing and open science, combined with the sensitive nature of the data involved, data protection concerns have quickly emerged.
Commercial & Technology
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the operation of Irish courts. While remote hearings have been rolled-out to good effect, there are teething issues.
COVID-19
The outbreak of COVID-19 continues to have a deep impact on businesses across all sectors. The Irish Government has announced a range of further measures to combat the impact of COVID-19 on Irish businesses.
Corporate & M&A
To date, the Irish Government's approach to COVID-19 has been to handle the crisis by means of strong public health recommendations to both the public and commercial enterprises, rather than introducing any mandatory orders or statutory regulations.
Commercial PropertyThe European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has published updated Guidelines 05/2020 on Consent under the GDPR, replacing the previous Article 29 Working Party Consent Guidelines published in April 2018.
Commercial & TechnologyThe Data Protection Commission (DPC) has issued its first fine under the GDPR. Tusla, the child and family state agency, has been fined €75,000 for three data breaches.
Commercial & Technology
The UK government and devolved administrations have in the past week provided a broad view of how lockdown will be relaxed and what our "new normal" may look like in the months ahead.
COVID-19 BelfastOn 19 May 2020 the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government announced that seven Irish offshore wind projects have been designated as 'Relevant Projects' in the context of forthcoming Marine Planning and Development Management legislation.
Energy & Natural Resources
In response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the European Commission has proposed a three-month deferral period for the rules regarding the mandatory filing and exchange of information on reportable cross-border tax arrangements under DAC6.
COVID-19Ofgem has stunned the energy industry by issuing a record fine against InterGen group for multiple breaches of Article 5 of REMIT, which prohibits actual or attempted market manipulation on wholesale energy markets. On 15 April 2020 Ofgem confirmed a fine of £47.8m, which included a repayment of approximately £12.8m reflecting the money received by InterGen as a result of the breach.
Energy & Natural Resources BelfastIn the latest edition of The Initial Public Offerings Law Review, Corporate Partners Sheena Doggett and Matthew Cole provide an insight into the legal and procedural IPO landscape in Ireland.
Capital Markets - Equity
On 8 May 2020, the Government published a further Order (the Further Extended Order) under the new section 251A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) (the Planning Acts), extending certain planning time periods during the Covid-19 emergency until 23 May 2020.
COVID-19
