A&L Goodbody LLP is at the pinnacle of the EU and competition field. It has three top practitioners in the unparalleled Vincent Power, leading merger control and damages action expert Alan McCarthy, and Anna-Marie Curran, noted for her formidable experience in procurement. The firm has continued to earn accolades, including for its advice to NatWest on the closure of Ulster Bank in Ireland. It remains at the forefront of merger control including Phase 2 Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) investigations and notifications to the European Commission. The firm also stands out in the full range of EU, competition and procurement law matters, and has expanded its presence in foreign investment control and foreign subsidies. Lorna McLoughlin is an impressive senior associate.

Arthur Cox is building its standing in the EU and competition market, particularly in the merger control space. It has a further strong presence in investigations, including those into the motor insurance and event ticketing industries, along with competition litigation, especially follow-on damage actions. Moreover, it has an established reputation in the state aid field. The team has a breadth of sectoral knowledge, most notably in the financial services area. Richard Ryan, who leads the competition and regulated markets group, continues to win accolades for his work in investigations, merger control and state aid. Patrick Horan is another prominent figure in merger control, market studies and follow-on damages actions. Of counsel Ronan Scanlan and senior associate Simon Breen are also key members of the team.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP continues to stand out for its abilities in merger control, including headline mergers requiring notification at a national and EU level. In this regard, the firm has made a particular impression in media sector mergers, along with those in the energy and technology industries, especially US tech businesses. The group frequently advises private equity houses on merger control and other competition matters. It is also unique in having an economist at partner level in Michael Madden. Beyond merger control, it has a thriving practice in competition law enforcement, including investigations into the ticketing and motor insurance sectors. Competition litigation is another forte. Tara Kelly leads the team, which includes Dorit McCann, who joined from Beauchamps LLP in March 2023. Laura Durning and Liam Heylin are also key partners.

Matheson LLP has a fully rounded EU and competition practice, driven by a fervent pipeline of merger control matters, competition investigations, state aid cases, and competition litigation, including the headline trucks case. The team has worked on a series of Phase 2 merger assessments by the CCPC and is especially noted for media sector merger cases. It has landed key roles in all recent CCPC market investigations, including motor insurance, ticketing and fuel price. The team features three experienced partners including department head Niall Collins, an experienced figure in merger control, having practised in both London and Dublin. Kate McKenna and Calum Warren are also highly rated partners, with extensive experience in and outside Ireland. Simon Shinkwin is a rising star.

McCann FitzGerald LLP has an impressive history in the EU and competition field, including merger control matters, along with anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance and state aid advice. It has extensive experience in cartel investigations and competition litigation, including follow-on damages actions. Following the retirement of long-time department head Philip Andrews, it promoted Amy Brick to partner in May 2023 and has expanded the ranks below partner level. Laura Treacy now leads the team, which includes litigators Rosaleen Byrne and Catherine Derrig, who both have specialist expertise in competition cases, such as representing DAF Trucks in follow-on damages claims in Ireland.

William Fry LLP has an established EU and competition practice, achieving further prominence in merger control cases and is noted for its experience in negotiating remedies with the CCPC. The firm also has a significant presence in CCPC and European Commission investigations and follow-on damages actions. Moreover, it has extensive knowledge of state aid, public procurement, trade and regulatory issues. The team has three partners at the helm. Cormac Little SC is one of the top names in the EU and competition field in Ireland, while Claire Waterson is at the forefront of state aid, public procurement and regulatory matters. Sheila Tormey is further noted for merger control and regulatory issues.

LK Shields Solicitors LLP continues to make a particular impression in competition litigation, especially antitrust damages actions; it represented Scania in connection with a damages action brought for alleged participation in a truck cartel. The team has also represented clients in a series of headline merger control engagements and is active in the state aid space. Marco Hickey is a hugely experienced EU and competition specialist, with decades of experience in Dublin, London and Brussels. Jill Callanan is head of litigation and dispute resolution and is a key partner on follow-on damages actions.

Philip Lee LLP remains best known for procurement work, alongside its growing presence in competition law enforcement actions, merger control and state aid matters. Ronan Dunne leads the EU, competition and state aid group, which includes executive chairman Philip Lee, a prominent name in public procurement. Kerri Crossen is also noted for procurement.

Beauchamps LLP has a significant focus on EU and procurement, bringing in Áine Smith as head of department from Eversheds Sutherland in July 2023, following the departure of Dorit McCann. Smith’s arrival reinforces the firm’s standing in the public sector and utilities, particularly in relation to public procurement matters. The firm is also experienced in CCPC investigations, state aid and merger control issues. Consultant Mark Pery-Knox-Gore is another experienced procurement specialist, as is new partner Pat McInerney, who joined in May 2023 from Holmes O'Malley Sexton.

DAC Beachcroft Dublin is active in domestic and multi-jurisdictional merger control and continues to advise the CCPC on the implementation of the ECN+ Directive. It has an impressive array of public and private sector clients, which it assists with state aid matters, and provides regulatory advice to a number of telecoms multinationals. Joanne Finn has experience of practising in both Ireland and the UK, is noted for expertise in EU and Irish merger control, and has further expertise in public procurement and regulatory matters. Elaine Davis is a key senior associate.

DLA Piper Ireland LLP has cemented its position in the EU and competition space, advising a large number of multinationals and Irish businesses on vital competition issues, including those linked to mergers, joint-ventures, and commercial arrangements. The team is also active in competition and regulatory compliance engagements for multinational clients. Legal director Darach Connolly has both Brussels and Ireland experience.

Eversheds Sutherland is a significant presence in merger filings and competition investigations in Ireland. The team is experienced in managing merger notifications, having worked on merger approvals requiring major remedies and commitments. It is also noted for dawn raids, state aid and general competition law compliance. Sean Ryan heads the EU and competition team.

RDJ LLP has an established record in media merger notifications, procurement and state aid. The firm represents a range of local authorities and public sector bodies in procurement issues and state aid issues. Finola McCarthy is a leading name in public procurement and Diarmaid Gavin has a long track record in merger notifications, state aid, and advises a number of Irish universities. Shane O’Connor provides further procurement expertise.