Competition and Regulation
Our Competition and Regulation group is ranked as an ‘Elite’ practice by leading trade publication, Global Competition Review (GCR), and consistently features in the highest tier of competition advisers in the top legal directories. We are a diverse and experienced group of specialists, with many having previously worked in major international competition practices in London and Brussels.
We advise on all aspects of Irish and EU competition and regulatory law, including merger control and foreign direct investment (FDI) screening, competition enforcement and litigation, State aid, procurement, consumer law regulation, sectoral regulation including the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regime, the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) regime.
We adopt a pragmatic and commercial approach which consistently delivers successful outcomes in the most complex cases. In particular:
- the group has led on many Phase 2 Irish merger reviews, acted on the only ever Phase 2 Irish media plurality review, and acted on FDI review processes involving the imposition of conditions;
- has advised on all EU Commission investigations and dawn raids in Ireland in recent years and many recently completed high-profile competition investigations by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; and
- advising on the most complex competition litigation matter (Trucks Litigation) currently before the Irish courts.
Experience Highlights
Merger Control
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Merger Control
We advise on requirements for merger control clearance including from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the Minister for Communications, and the European Commission. We have in-depth experience of how to best manage merger control reviews.
We have successfully gained clearance for numerous complex mergers, including EU and Irish clearances at Phase II and subject to behavioural and structural remedies. We specialise in advising clients on merger control risk when buying and selling businesses, including in competitive bid auctions. We have in-depth experience across all sectors and markets to include financial services, technology, telecommunications, energy and utilities, healthcare, aviation, and food and beverage.
Experience Highlights
We have advised:
- Speed Fibre Group on securing all required regulatory and competition clearances for its acquisition of BT Ireland’s telecoms business;
- Cellnex on the sale of its Irish towers business to Phoenix, involving a Phase 2 review by the Irish competition authority;
- Smurfit Kappa on obtaining multiple merger control approvals across the globe, including from the EU Commission, for its multi-billion value merger to form Smurfit WestRock;
- Bank of Ireland on the CCPC’s full Phase 2 investigation into the proposed acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of KBC Bank Ireland PLC;
- Link Group on the CCPC’s full Phase 2 investigation into the proposed acquisition of sole control of Pepper Ireland Finance Holdings Limited;
- Macquarie on obtaining approval for its acquisition of the Beacon Hospital in Dublin;
- Waystone, on obtaining Irish and EU merger control approval for various transformational transactions, including investments by Montagu and HG and the acquisition of KB associates;
- Sky plc on obtaining Irish media merger clearance for competing bids for its acquisition by Comcast Corporation (successful) and 21st Century Fox (unsuccessful);
- On the only ever Phase II ‘media merger’ investigation by the Minister for Communications;
- Wexford Milk Producers Limited on the CCPC’s Phase II investigation into its merger with Glanbia, resulting in a clearance of the transaction without conditions; and
- Three on the European Commission’s Phase II investigation of its acquisition of Telefónica Ireland, ‘O2’, resulting in a clearance of the transaction subject to conditions and on competition and regulatory issues following this clearance.
See our Irish Merger Control Guide.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Screening and Foreign Subsidies Regulation
Read MoreForeign Direct Investment (FDI) Screening and Foreign Subsidies Regulation
We advise clients on regulatory approvals needed for M&A transactions under foreign direct investment (FDI) screening regimes, including the new Irish FDI screening regime established under the Screening of Third Country Transactions Act 2023.
Similarly, we advise clients on clearances needed for M&A transactions and public tenders under the pre-clearance regime established under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation. These regimes tend to be difficult for clients to navigate. We are expert at identifying any necessary approvals and guiding clients through filing processes so as to ensure clearance and avoid delay. Our team is highly experienced at representing clients in Ministerial reviews of their transactions.
While these are new and developing regimes, Matheson has a strong record of obtaining approvals in good time and is the only Irish practice with experience of advising on an in-depth, Phase 2 public interest review of a transaction by an Irish Minister (in the context of our media merger regime).
Commercial Agreements and Competition Compliance Programmes
Read moreCommercial Agreements and Competition Compliance Programmes
We review commercial agreements for compliance with EU and Irish competition law including advising on devising and operating supply and distribution arrangements including restrictions such as minimum purchase obligations, exclusive territories and criteria for a selection of authorised distributors.
We also assist clients in the design and implementation of bespoke competition compliance programmes, which minimise the risk of competition law breaches and penalties. The solutions we offer include: tailored training and policies on competition compliance; and competition compliance audits.
Regulatory Enforcement and Dawn Raids
Read MoreRegulatory Enforcement and Dawn Raids
We act for clients subject to investigations and clients reporting issues to a regulator, advising on all stages of an investigation from attending a Dawn Raid, witness summons, information requests, leniency applications, internal investigations, settlement negotiations, litigation and implementing remedies.
We have also developed a “Dawn Raid – Smart Response” app. The app is the first of its kind in Ireland, and helps companies manage a key risk: being subject to a regulatory dawn raid.
Experience Highlights
We have advised:
- on all EU Commission investigations and dawn raids in Ireland in recent years, including an ongoing European Commission investigation of ‘no poach agreements’ including recent Dawn Raids, and investigations of the motor insurance sector involving European Commission Dawn Raids and CCPC witness summonses and other investigative processes;
- a global ticketing company in connection with the CCPC’s ongoing investigation of the secondary ticketing market; and
- on the majority of recent cartel investigations by the CCPC, including making applications under the CCPC’s leniency programme and advising on criminal law aspects of investigations.
Regulated Sectors
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Regulated Sectors
We regularly provide EU and Irish advice across a wide range of regulated sectors, such as digital markets, telecommunications, broadcasting, postal services, life sciences, food / grocery, energy and transport (including aviation, bus and rail).
We have advised many listed companies and market leaders including on compliance and engagement with sector-specific regulators in the context of licensing, regulatory compliance, and enforcement in particular. These regulators include, for example, ComReg, Coimisiun na Mean, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Irish Aviation Authority, and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). We keep abreast of regulatory developments and assist clients in understanding the often complex and technical regulations that apply to their business.
We have also advised clients on challenging regulatory decisions made by Irish regulators, including by way of judicial review.
Experience Highlights
We have advised:
Telecoms: Three on a range of regulatory issues and engagements with ComReg, including High Court proceedings by Vodafone, and its successful appeal against decisions of ComReg in the wholesale voice call termination market.
Postal Services: The national postal company on a range of regulatory issues, including defending a High Court action by ComReg seeking the imposition of a €12 million fine for alleged late delivery of mail.
Broadcasting: Traditional and non-traditional broadcasters on compliance with broadcasting Codes and licence obligations, including on the implications of the EU AVMS Directive and amendments to radio licences, including Discovery, Virgin Media and RTE.
Governmental: various Irish Government Departments on implementing new EU regulatory requirements for certain sectors into Irish law, including advising on (i) introducing rules on supplies to retailers by food suppliers in the context of EU Directive 2019/ 633, and (ii) introducing Accessibility rules for certain products and services in the context of EU Directive 2019/882.
Life Sciences: Multinational life sciences companies on regulatory and pricing matters arising during the life cycle of medicinal products including Medical Devices and Medicines, in addition to the compliance of pricing and discounting proposals made during reimbursement applications.
Travel: various online travel companies on compliance with EU laws, including the Package Travel Directive, and national laws which may require registration, licensing, insolvency and bond protection.
Airports: Dublin Airport on regulatory price control matters and appeals of regulatory decisions.
Competition Litigation
Read MoreCompetition Litigation
We advise on contentious competition cases, including the first follow-on action and the only action involving an amicus curiae application in Ireland to date.
We have represented both plaintiffs and defendants in some of the most significant competition cases before the Irish courts, including anti-competitive agreements, abuse of a dominant position and follow-on damages actions. We also have experience of litigation before the European Courts in Luxembourg.
Experience Highlights
We have advised:
- a defendant on ongoing Trucks Cartel follow-on damages litigation before the Irish Courts;
- ASL Aviation on proceedings against the EU Commission seeking damages of over €200m arising from the prohibition of the UPS/TNT merger;
- Sports Direct on High Court proceedings between Sports Direct and Heatons regarding non-compete restrictions;
- Google on a High Court action taken by Ryanair involving a complex mix of intellectual property and competition law issues; and
- leading Irish sugar supplier, Gem Pack in successfully settling the first follow-on damages action to be brought before the High Court, seeking damages for abuse of dominance.
State Aid
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We advise potential grantors and beneficiaries of State aid on the relevant EU and Irish rules applicable to them.
We have also made numerous complaints to the European Commission alleging the grant of prohibited State aid, and been involved in investigations by the European Commission.
Experience Highlights
We have advised:
- A number of major energy companies on State aid complaints to the EU Commission.
- On State aid issues connected to the National Broadband Plan.
- RTÉ, the national broadcaster, on State aid allegations and an EU Commission investigation.
- On controversial EU Commission State aid investigations focused on Irish taxation matters.
Public Procurement
Read morePublic Procurement
We have in-depth expertise in public procurement issues.
We advise suppliers, awarding authorities and the State on public procurement law challenges. We have advised clients in respect of High Court proceedings seeking set aside and damages and in respect of complaints to the European Commission.
Experience Highlights
We have advised:
- Sport Ireland on its development of the National Indoor Arena.
- Numerous bidders on successful legal challenges of tender decisions.
- On one of the most lengthy and complex tenders in recent Irish history, for the National Broadband Plan.
- The Minister for Transport on procurement of an operator for Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport.
News and Insights
Accolades
“The Matheson team stands out for crisp, business-first advice, speed without sacrificing accuracy, and true cross-border fluency. Calum Warren, in particular, blends sharp technical analysis with practical, solutions-oriented judgment; he’s calm under pressure, anticipates regulator concerns, and drives matters forward with clear, action-ready drafting. I’ve also valued his strategic oversight and ability to simplify complex competition issues, as well as his reliability and responsiveness on short deadlines. What differentiates him from competitors is consistency: he does not just identify risk—he quantifies it, proposes workable paths, and executes with empathy and integrity.”
EU and Competition: The European Legal 500
2026
Our Team
Niall is a partner and Head of the Competition and Regulation Group.
He has extensive experience advising Irish and multinational businesses on all aspects of Irish and EU competition law, but particularly on complex merger control mandates.
Kate is a partner in the Competition and Regulation Group.
Prior to joining Matheson, Kate worked at a Magic Circle law firm in London.
Kate’s competition practice involves advising clients on merger control, behavioural competition issues (including investigations of alleged collusion and abuse of dominance), State aid, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, Foreign Investment Screening regimes & public procurement competition issues.
Calum Warren is a partner in the Competition and Regulation Group in Dublin. Prior to joining Matheson, Calum worked at leading international law firms in Brussels and London.
With over 15 years’ experience, Calum is a leading advisor on all aspects of Irish and EU competition and regulatory law, including M&A regulatory clearances, competition compliance, investigations and litigation, sectoral regulation and general EU regulatory law, public procurement and State aid.
Simon is a partner in the Competition and Regulation Group at Matheson.
Simon advises on all aspects of EU and Irish competition and regulatory law with a particular focus on regulated sectors primarily the telecoms, media, technology, infrastructure, food & beverage and life sciences sectors.
Simon also co-leads Matheson’s Foreign Direct Investment / Foreign Investment Review practice advising businesses on navigating Ireland’s new FDI regime and acquisitions of ‘critical’ and ‘sensitive’ assets and businesses.
