Nov 2017

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On 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.

Nov 2017

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Last 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.

Nov 2017

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Within 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. 

Nov 2017

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The Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill, 2017, has been published by the Minister for Justice and Equality. This Bill is one of the actions identified by the Government last week, as part of a broader package of measures to tackle white collar crime.  Enactment is scheduled for Q4 2018. 

Nov 2017

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From a domestic perspective, the Central Bank has published new application forms and related guidance for authorisation as a Payment Institution and Electronic Money Institution. New guidance has also been issued with regards to the industry funding levy and transaction reporting under MiFIR. At a European level, the Commission has issued guidance on obtaining brokerage and research services...

Nov 2017

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From a domestic perspective, it has been a relatively quiet month for investment firms. However, at a European level, ESMA has been occupied with MiFID II/MiFIR related activity. ESMA is continuing to update its Q&As on both pieces of legislation and it highlighted the preparations it is undertaking for MiFID II and Brexit in a speech at the ECON hearing where there was particular focus on third

Nov 2017

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On the domestic front the Central Bank held its Annual Insurance Industry Briefing; the Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill 2017 approaches final stages. On the European front the European Parliament calls for a delay on application of the Insurance Distribution Directive; EIOPA publishes its first set of advice on specific elements of the Solvency II Delegated Regulation and Guidelines on Complex...

Nov 2017

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In this month's funds update we look at speeches made by the CBI's Director of Asset management and the Minister of State for Financial Services and Insurance at the A&L Goodbody Annual Asset Management & Investment Seminar. Domestically, we also cover amendments to the CBI's UCITS and AIFMD Q&A; and on the European front we have a number of ESMA updates....

Nov 2017

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From a domestic perspective, the main update this month concerns the ongoing Tracker Mortgage Examination and related frequently asked questions document produced by the Central Bank in response to the Examination. On a European level, the EBA and ECB are continuing to issue guidance in preparation for Brexit, with the EBA publishing an opinion with practical recommendations for firms in the 18...

Nov 2017

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Construction Wages; Gender Pay Gap; Data Protection