Ireland: International Law

The European Union has introduced its most comprehensive overhaul of foreign direct investment screening since 2020, establishing harmonised minimum standards across all Member States for reviewing investments in strategically sensitive sectors. This revised framework significantly expands the scope of transactions subject to review, introduces stricter procedural requirements, and enhances coordination mechanisms between national authorities and the European Commission.

Arthur Cox provides comprehensive legal guidance on customs and international trade law, helping Irish and international clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks including customs classification, export controls, and evolving sanctions regimes. The firm's integrated approach combines customs expertise with sanctions and export control specialization to ensure businesses maintain full compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Ireland's foreign direct investment screening regime has completed its first full year of operation, generating significant activity across critical sectors. The 2026 Guidance introduces important procedural changes, including a shift to control-based notification triggers, while the EU's newly adopted Revised FDI Screening Regulation and proposed Industrial Accelerator Act will introduce additional layers of regulatory scrutiny for cross-border transactions.