CCPC reveals details of merger and acquisition reviews in 2025

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued 91 determinations in 2025, up 34% since 2023.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued 91 determinations in 2025, up 34% since 2023.

The CCPC's Annual Mergers and Acquisitions Report 2025, provides details of the mergers and acquisitions notified to, and reviewed by, the CCPC throughout the year. Two-thirds of mergers reviewed in 2025 were dealt with under the CCPC’s Simplified Merger Notification Procedure (SMNP).

In 2025, 90 mergers were notified to the CCPC, up from 82 in 2024, and from 68 in 2023. The CCPC issued 91 determinations, including 12 in relation to cases carried over from 2024.

In 2025, the CCPC made 58 determinations (approximately 64%) under the CCPC’s Simplified Merger Notification Procedure. 

Eight media mergers were notified to the CCPC in 2025, compared to three in 2024. Six were cleared unconditionally, and two have been carried over in 2026.

“Our goal is to ensure that competition is protected to the benefit of consumers and to that end, it was another busy year for merger review in Ireland," said CCPC's Úna Butler.

“We also concluded five Phase 2 investigations this year, all of which required detailed economic analysis and extensive engagement with stakeholders."

In 2025, the CCPC’s competition functions were restructured. The former Competition Enforcement & Mergers Division was split into two dedicated divisions - the Mergers Division and the Antitrust Division, with Alan Scarlett appointed the CCPC’s Director of Mergers in July.

“One key element of a merger review regime is the need to ensure efficiency. In 2025 the CCPC established a standalone Mergers Division, ensuring senior resourcing and a sharper focus on merger review. The creation of this new division will support the delivery of a sustainable and effective merger review regime into the future," said Ms Butler.

“As we move forward, the CCPC hopes to see the financial thresholds for mandatory notification of mergers in Ireland increased so that we can focus resources on transactions which are more likely to raise competition issues.

“These thresholds were last updated in 2019 and, in light of considerations such as inflation during the intervening time period, the introduction of new merger call-in powers and the Government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burden on businesses, the CCPC feels now is the time to reconsider the merger thresholds.”