The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has requested an increase to the financial thresholds at which mergers and notifications must be notified to the watchdog.

At present, a merger notification must be made where the undertakings in question have an aggregate turnover of €60 million or more, or where the turnover of two or more of the undertakings involved is €10 million or more.

The CCPC is seeking to increase these thresholds for the first time since 2019 to an aggregate turnover of €100 million and individual turnover of €15 million.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has launched a consultation which runs until 1 May 2026.

Geoffrey Gray, member of the CCPC, said: “An effective merger review regime must be effective, efficient and proportionate. As the volume and complexity of transactions continues to evolve, it’s important that the system keeps pace with economic realities.

“Updating the financial thresholds would ensure that mandatory notifications are focused on mergers most likely to raise competition concerns and reduce costs for businesses engaging in smaller, non-problematic mergers.

“The thresholds have remained unchanged since 2019. Taking account of inflation, the introduction of statutory call-in powers, and the wider aim of reducing regulatory burden on businesses, we believe it is timely and appropriate to review and modernise the thresholds now.”

The CCPC encourages stakeholders to review the consultation and provide their views.