IRELAND Law and Practice Contributed by: Leonora Malone, John Olden, John Darmody and Doreen Mescal, Addleshaw Goddard
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Regulatory Considerations ESG factors became central to deal strategy, with investors prioritising compliance and risk mitigation amid evolving EU regulations, includ - ing the proposed revision of the Energy Perfor - mance of Buildings Directive. 1.3 Key Industries Technology and Life Sciences • Ireland remained a key hub for multinational pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech firms, supported by a favourable tax environment and a highly skilled workforce. • The technology, media and telecoms sec - tor saw strong M&A momentum, with private equity interest surging, reflecting confidence in Ireland’s thriving digital economy. Financial Services and Professional Services • Financial services M&A remained active, fuelled by banking and insurance consolida - tion, particularly following the exit of interna - tional banks. • Private equity played a major role, targeting asset management and fintech firms, leverag - ing Ireland’s well-regulated financial ecosys - tem. • Professional services consolidation acceler - ated, especially among law and accountancy firms, as competition intensified to provide • The energy sector emerged as a standout performer, with offshore wind and renewables driving deal activity amid Ireland’s ambitious decarbonisation targets. • Offshore wind attracted significant foreign investment, capitalising on government- backed incentives and Ireland’s favourable wind conditions. expanded client offerings. Energy and Infrastructure
• Beyond wind energy, bioenergy projects, particularly anaerobic digestion plants, gained traction, backed by state incentives. • Strategic investors and infrastructure funds pursued major acquisitions in development- stage wind and solar assets, signalling strong long-term confidence in Ireland’s net-zero transition. Private Equity • Private equity remained a dominant force, with both domestic and international funds actively deploying capital across multiple sectors. • Buy-and-build strategies were prevalent, par - ticularly in healthcare, professional services and technology, while large-scale one-off transactions occurred in energy and infra - structure. • Economic headwinds led to more cautious deal structuring, with private equity firms leveraging minority investments and co- investment structures to navigate valuation uncertainties. 2. Overview of Regulatory Field 2.1 Acquiring a Company The acquisition of an Irish company typically occurs through private acquisition, takeover offer or merger, depending on the nature of the target entity. Private Companies Most private company acquisitions are struc - tured as share sales, where the buyer purchases the shares of the target company, assuming full control of its assets, liabilities and operations. Alternatively, acquisitions can be structured as asset purchases, allowing the buyer to selec - tively acquire specific assets and liabilities.
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