A&L Goodbody LLP is at the forefront of EU and competition matters, covering all aspects of the sector, including procurement, state aid and regulatory matters. It is also noted for its expertise in foreign investment control and foreign subsidies. The firm has worked on many of the biggest and most complex reviews in the jurisdiction, along with a series of large-scale investigations into anti-competitive behaviour. It has also landed a number of major competition litigation engagements, including follow-on damages actions. Vincent Power heads the EU, competition and procurement group and has an outstanding reputation across all areas. Alan McCarthy is a prominent name in merger reviews and Anna-Marie Curran is an experienced specialist in competition and procurement. Senior associate Lorna McLoughlin also impresses.

Arthur Cox has a sizeable team with two partners and eight associates. It has a substantial client base of domestic and multinational businesses, and has an outstanding record in merger control. The firm also has a significant presence in competition investigations and disputes, which includes representing clients in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)’s investigations into motor insurance and event ticketing. It is also widely recognised for its expertise in state aid. Richard Ryan heads the competition and regulated markets group, which includes emerging talent Patrick Horan . Simon Breen is a rising star. Ronan Scanlan has left the firm.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP has a formidable reputation for EU and competition matters, particularly in the technology sector. It has excelled in representing multinational giants in connection with the intersection between privacy law/digital regulation and competition law. It has advised multinational tech businesses on personal data matters and in headline competition-related litigation. The firm remains active in merger control, acting for both corporates and private equity houses. In competition enforcement and competition litigation, it has appeared in a series of major cases, including the motor insurance and ticketing investigations. Tara Kelly leads the team and is an experienced figure in merger control and the crossover between digital regulation and competition law. Dorit McCann is a leading figure in procurement, while Laura Durning and Liam Heylin provide further senior firepower.

Matheson LLP is at the forefront of merger control, especially phase 2 merger review cases by the CCPC. It continues to stand out for its expertise in media mergers and its experience with the Irish FDI screening regime. It has worked on all completed CCPC investigations of recent years and has represented clients in a series of major competition cases, including the headline trucks litigation. Niall Collins heads the competition and regulatory group and remains a market leader in merger control. Kate McKenna has also made an impression in merger control and competition litigation. Calum Warren is another emerging talent and Simon Shinkwin was recently promoted to the partnership.

McCann FitzGerald LLP has an established background in all EU and competition areas, including merger clearance, abuse of dominance allegations, cartel defence, state aid, regulatory matters, public procurement and competition litigation; litigators Rosaleen Byrne and Catherine Derrig have developed a specialism in competition litigation. The team has made a further impression in cartel work and in competition court experience, remaining noted for its expertise in the transport and telecoms sectors. Laura Treacy heads the competition, regulated markets and EU team, having a broad practice covering merger control, cartel investigations and contentious matters, along with having a solid background in state aid. Orlaith Sheehy specialises in public procurement. Stephen Ryan has been promoted to of counsel.

William Fry LLP remains at the forefront of merger control, including advising on phase 2 investigations by the CCPC. The firm also has an established presence in state aid, public procurement, trade and regulatory law, along with investigations and litigation (including follow-on damages actions). It has extensive industry coverage, particularly in the media sector. Cormac Little SC has an outstanding reputation, a true leader in the market, while Claire Waterson remains noted for state aid, public procurement and regulatory matters, with Sheila Tormey  recognised for merger control, follow-on damages actions and regulatory issues.

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP has an established and highly-reputed EU and competition practice, thanks largely to the presence of prominent figure Marco Hickey. It has a fine record in merger control, including reviews at national and EU level and is further recognised for its work in sub-threshold merger matters. The firm is also noted for competition litigation, including follow-on damages actions.

Philip Lee LLP has a history in the public procurement and state aid fields, thanks to its background as a public sector-oriented firm. Having developed its private sector focus, it has built a much stronger focus on broader EU and competition matters, including merger control where it now works alongside a number of international firms on cross-border transactions. The EU and competition team has deep experience in the automotive, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and broadcasting and communications sectors. Ronan Dunne is an authority on state aid matters, merger control and wider competition issues. Founding partner Philip Lee and Kerri Crossen provide additional public competition and procurement experience.

Addleshaw Goddard has made a particular impact in merger reviews before the CCPC, including phase 2 reviews. The small team has also landed a number of regulatory investigations instructions; this includes representing a client in connection with a European Commission cartel investigation. Eoghan Ó hArgáin leads the EU, competition and procurement group, and is a recognised expert in merger notifications for corporates and private equity houses. Elaine Cahill has joined as a senior associate, having spent 12 years at the CCPC.

Beauchamps LLP solidified its EU and competition practice with the hire of John Gaffney from Al Tamimi & Company in Abu Dhabi; Gaffney had previously worked as an EU and competition partner at two Irish firms before practising at a series of international firms and then in the Gulf. He has joined a team that has maintained its presence in procurement and merger notifications to the CCPC. Áine Smith is a procurement specialist with a focus on public sector and utility sector clients.

DAC Beachcroft Dublin has a rich portfolio of international clients and continues to expand its presence in the healthcare sector. The Dublin-based team frequently advises on cross-border merger notifications, particularly in relation to UK-Ireland deals, and has extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional regulatory matters.  Joanne Finn heads the EU, competition and regulated markets team in Dublin, having amassed over 20 years' experience in the sector. Elaine Davis is another area specialist at senior associate level.

Eversheds Sutherland has a burgeoning position in the market thanks largely to the presence of Sean Ryan, who has more than 25 years' experience in the EU and competition field. The team has a solid record in cross-border merger control, including in the healthcare, technology, financial services, retail, aviation, e-commerce, insurance, and banking sectors. It has demonstrated further expertise in the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the new Irish FDI screening provisions, dawn raids and state aid matters. Kasturi Moodaliyar is a hugely experienced senior associate.

RDJ LLP is at the forefront of state aid and procurement matters. It has an established record in state aid and competition rules relating to the knowledge transfer activities of Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) in Ireland. The firm is also noted for public procurement advice to local authorities and other public bodies. Merger control advice and dawn raid response are also key areas of expertise. Diarmaid Gavin heads the competition team and is an experienced figure in state aid and merger notifications. Finola McCarthy heads the procurement team.