New figures released by the Department of Social Protection show that over 27,000 fathers (or "relevant parents") in Ireland have taken statutory paternity leave since the introduction of this benefit via the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 (the Act). However, the question as to whether employers who "top-up" the State maternity benefit are now required to similarly top-up the relatively new
EmploymentIn Cronin v Dublin City Sheriff & anor [2017] IEHC 685, Ní Raifeartaigh J, 17 October 2017 the High Court refused to set aside a repossession order in respect of a family home on the grounds that the courts granting the order had not assessed the mortgage contract under the European Communities (Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts) Regulations 1995 (the Unfair Terms Regulations) and the Directive 9
DisputesLast month, the Workplace Relations Commission (the WRC) found that the Minister of State with special responsibility for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, Mr John Halligan, illegally discriminated against a potential employee during a recruitment interview to fill the role of Private Secretary
EmploymentIn its decision handed down last Friday, the UK Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) dismissed Uber's appeal of the UK Employment Tribunal's decision and agreed that Uber drivers were 'workers' for the purposes of the relevant UK legislation.
EmploymentIn circumstances where Irish law defines sexual harassment as "unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature", the current spotlight is firmly focused on what is and isn't appropriate in the workplace. Exactly when does "harmless" workplace banter fall foul of this definition?
EmploymentJohn Dallas, Partner, A&l Goodbody looks at the current status of the energy efficiency targets in the Public Sector and looks at what is next?
Energy & Natural ResourcesThere has been a considerable amount of political and media discussion recently on the topic of multi-party or class actions and whether Ireland should introduce procedures to allow for such actions.
DisputesIn recent weeks, the complex legality of defining sexual harassment has come into sharp focus. Irish law defines sexual harassment as “unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature”. But exactly when does seemingly “harmless” workplace banter or an “innocent” flirtation fall foul of this definition?
EmploymentEuropean Competition Commissioner Vestager gave a wide-ranging speech, entitled "Clearing the Path for Innovation", at the Web Summit in Lisbon on 7 November 2017.
EU, Competition & ProcurementOn 6 November 2017, the European Commission approved, under the European Union's State aid rules, various Belgian tax measures designed to assist the maritime transport sector.
EU, Competition & ProcurementLast month, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its "Regulatory Sandbox – Lessons Learned Report". In the Report, the FCA evaluated the progress of the UK financial regulatory sandbox during its first year of operation and tentatively concluded that the initiative has so far been a success.
FinTechWithin the last two weeks the High Court has issued a judgment which serves as a useful reminder that when it comes to the proposed retirement of an employee, the first issue an employer needs to consider is whether it is actually entitled to retire the employee at all.
Employment