Investment Services
Investment Services The granting and the renewal of authorisations for investment firms is undertaken in the home member state. The competent authority (the central bank) must ensure that the investment firm has ...
Author Archives: Paul McMahon
EU Alternative Funds
AIF Managers Authorisation A 2011 directive regulates managers of alternative investment funds. The purpose is to ensure an internal market for these managers while putting in place a harmonized regulatory ...
Securities
Listing of Securities EU directives have laid down common standards for stock exchange listing requirements. The rules provide for the information that must be published when companies are first admitted to the ...
Consumer Credit
Consumer Credit Directive EU states must ensure persons offering credit obtain authorisation. They must be regulated and inspected; Bodies must be established to provide information and advice to consumers in ...
Payments
Payments Market Framework An EU directive aims to establish a framework for the creation of an integrated payments market. It covers payment service providers established in the EU. It covers payments in euro and ...
EEIG & European Companies
EEIG Requirements A European regulation provides for the establishment of European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG). The purpose of an EEIG is to facilitate and develop economic activities of members by pooling of ...
Mergers and Divisions
Mergers of Public Companies The third council Directive deals with mergers of public liability companies. In order to be subject to the merger, there must be a full absorption of one company in another or the ...
Various Companies Matters
Shareholders’ Voting Rights I A Company law directive establishes minimum requirements to facilitate the exercise of shareholder rights at a general meeting of listed companies, particularly on a cross-border ...
Accounts & Audit
Requirements of Accounts The fourth company Directive deals with the annual accounts of limited companies. The annual accounts are to comprise a balance sheet, profit and loss account, and notes to the accounts. The ...
Takeovers
General An EU Directive on takeover bids sets minimum guidelines for the conduct of takeover bids involving the securities of companies governed by the law of an EU state or where the securities are admitted to ...
Shipping Services
Market in Sea Transport An EU regulation provides freedom to supply services, competition and free access to the market in sea transport. A separate directive deals with the freedom to provide services in sea ...
Ship Standards
Standards I An EU Directive provides a legal framework for prescribing harmonised safety rules and standards for passenger ships. The Directive applies to both passenger ships and crafts engaging on domestic ...
Seafarers
Seafarers Competence There is an EU directive on the minimum level of training for seafarers. The minimum standards are set by the International Maritime Organisation convention on training standards as revised from ...
Ship and Port Safety
European Maritime Safety Agency The European maritime safety agency was established by regulation in 2002. The purpose of the agency is to provide states and Commissions with technical and scientific assistance to ...
Ship Reporting and Security
Security of Ships and Ports An EU Regulation provides for measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities from unlawful acts. The regulation provides for harmonised EU action to monitor enhanced ...
Rail Transport
Competitive Networks for Freight A 2010 regulation seeks to create a Competitive European Rail Network for Freight. It established rules for the creation and organisation of international rail corridors for ...
Air Transport Licensing
International Air Service Agreements An EU regulation provides for the negotiation and implementation of air service agreements between the member states and third countries. The regulation provides principles ...
Airports
Slots EU regulation provides common rules on allocation of slots at EU airport. The purpose is to ensure an equitable and non-discriminatory equitable and transparent method of allocation where there is scarcity in ...
Aviation Passenger Rights
Liability of Carriers I An EU regulation provides for harmonised obligations for EU air carriers in relation to liability in the event of accidents to passengers. It applies to death, personal injury arising from ...
Aviation Security
Security An EU regulation provides common rules for security in civil aviation. The rules apply to all airports located in the EU other than those exclusively used for military purposes. They apply to all operators ...
Road Transport (Passenger)
Coach and Bus Services There are common EU rules for access to the international market for coach and bus services. Where the carriage takes place between EU and non-EU state, the regulation applies to the part of ...
Road Transport (Goods)
Authorisation There are common rules for access to the market in the international carriage of goods by road within the EU. International carriage is undertaken subject to possession of a Community licence. A ...
Road Transport Issues
Vehicles There is an EU directive on the dimensions and maximum weight authorised for national and international traffic. Member states may not authorise normal use on roads of goods that are outside the ...
Enforcing EU Law Against States
Damages and legal action A member state is liable in damages to individuals who suffer loss as a consequence of its infringement of European Community laws. It must pay compensation in accordance with its domestic ...
NI Governance Background
1921-1972 The island of Ireland formerly constituted a single country and legal system which prior to 1919/22 was part of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland was established as a separate legal system by the ...
NI Devolution
Northern Ireland Act The Northern Ireland Act 1998 as amended, in effect comprises the Constitution of Northern Ireland. It declares that Northern Ireland in its entirety remains part of the United Kingdom and shall ...
British-Irish Arrangements
British-Irish Council The British-Irish Council (BIC) was established under a British-Irish (Good Friday) Agreement to promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships ...
North-South Arrangements
North / South Ministerial Council The North/South Ministerial Council was established to bring together those with executive responsibilities in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government, to develop consultation, ...
NI Executive
First and Deputy First Minister Within seven days after the meeting of the Assembly, the offices of the First Minister and deputy First Minister are filled, in accordance with the following provisions. The largest ...
NI Assembly
Holding Elections Elections are to take place in the first Thursday in May in every fourth calendar year following that for which the predecessor was elected. This term was extended to five years by the Northern ...