The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has handed down its decision following a request for a preliminary ruling from the Danish Supreme Court. In Finn Frogne A/S v Rigspolitiet ved Center for Beredskabskommunikation (C 549/14), the CJEU held that the terms of a settlement agreement can constitute an illegal modification to a public contract which therefore would require a new tendering
EU, Competition & ProcurementIn the first award under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, a care assistant has been awarded €17,500 after making what the Labour Court determined was a 'protected disclosure' to both her employer and HIQA in relation to the alleged abuse of patients in Aras Chois Fharriage nursing home. The Labour Court, on appeal, concluded that the employee was penalised when she was placed on paid suspension
Pensions & IncentivesHPRA regularly carries out announced and unannounced inspections (Dawn Raids) and audits to establish and monitor industry’s compliance with relevant legislation and guidelines. This note highlights the key inspection and enforcement powers available to HPRA.
Hospitals & HealthcareSummary In Richardson v Financial Services Ombudsman & anor [2016] IEHC 560, (High Court, Hunt J, 14 July 2016), the High Court upheld a finding of the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO) that an insurance company was entitled to void a life insurance policy for material non-disclosure.
Financial RegulationThe Government has published the General Scheme of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill 2016.
DisputesDr Vincent Power of A&L Goodbody spoke at the Public Affairs Ireland Brexit conference on 21 October 2016. He spoke about the likely impact of Brexit on public administration, government and international relations from the legal perspective.
BrexitArticle 50 is fast-becoming the most quoted but least read legal provision in the contemporary world.
EU, Competition & ProcurementDavid Widger, Head of A&L Goodbody's Corporate Department, provides an overview of Irish private equity deal activity in 2015 and an outlook for 2016. First published in the 'Private Equity Review' (Fourth Edition) by Law Business Research.
Private Equity & Venture CapitalDavid Francis, Pensions Partner, Lorcan Keenan and Chris Comerford, Pensions Associates, provide an overview on the regulation of state and supplementary pensions schemes in Ireland.
Pensions & IncentivesOn 5 October 2016, our IP & Technology team hosted a seminar on the new EU General Data Regulation (GDPR), which takes effect from 25 May 2018. The Data Protection Commissioner, Helen Dixon, gave a keynote address at the event, which was followed by commentary from our IP and Technology Partners, John Whelan, John Cahir, Mark Rasdale and Claire Morrissey.
Commercial & TechnologyThe Department of Finance has published Ireland's first Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/TF) National Risk Assessment (NRA).
Corporate Governance & ComplianceThere are no major changes in Irish tax policy announced in today's Irish Budget. Its contents reflect the continued recovery in the Irish economy, yet is tempered by the risks inherent in the global economy, particularly the uncertainties of Brexit. We have summarised the more significant announcements.
Tax