The Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD ("the Minister"), announced on 10 May 2017 that the Government has signed an Order pursuant to the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 implementing the provisions of “Alternative A” of the Aircraft Protocol to the Cape Town Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment into Irish law.

The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by the Edward Holdings group of companies against a decision of O’Connor J in the High Court refusing to appoint an examiner to four of the seven group companies in respect of which an examiner was sought to be appointed. The group, which is controlled by Gerry Barrett, owns, amongst other assets, the Meyrick and G hotels in Galway.

Where Debtors Are Less Than Fully Candid In Respect Of Their Means

In April 2016, the Pensions Authority published prescribed guidance in relation to the Section 48A procedure under the Pensions Act 1990 (as amended) (the “Pensions Act”).

Regulations

The European Union (Insurance and Reinsurance) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No.485/2015) (the “Regulations”) were signed by the Minister for Finance on 4 November 2015, transposing the Solvency II Directive into Irish law. The Regulations establish new capital requirements, valuation techniques and governance and reporting standards. The Regulations also provide the Central Bank of Ireland with increased supervisory responsibilities.

Background

Introduction

The Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered today, in J.D. Brian Motors Limited, trading as Belgard Motors, (In Liquidation) (and related companies) allowed the appeal of the Official Liquidator, Tom Kavanagh of Deloitte, to set aside two declarations made by Ms Justice Finlay Geoghegan in the High Court in two separate judgments in 2011.

The Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2015 (the “Act”) was signed into law on 28 July 2015. It introduces a number of changes to the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 (the “2012 Act”). These changes include:

Introduction

The recent decision of the High Court in the case of In the matter of Ladbroke (Ireland) Limited and Others has, in the first written judgment in relation to the matter, reaffirmed the principles established in the eircom examinership regarding an examiner’s engagement with potential investors. The decision upholds the primacy of the examiner’s commercial judgment, which is subject to review by the court only to the extent that it is so “utterly unreasonable and absurd that no reasonable man would have done it”.

The recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of In the matter of Sean Dunne (a bankrupt) has confirmed that it is possible for a debtor to be adjudicated a bankrupt under the laws of Ireland notwithstanding the fact that the debtor has already been adjudicated a bankrupt in another jurisdiction which is not subject to the European Insolvency Regulation.

Summary

A bank has recently successfully challenged the coming into effect of a debt settlement arrangement (“DSA”) on grounds that inaccuracies existed in the debtor’s statement of affairs such that its approval would cause material detriment and prejudice to his creditors.