Company law news

Minister Burke has announced the commencement of Section 22 of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024.  This provision relates to a change to the current audit exemption regime, whereby small and micro sized companies will not, in future, automatically lose the privilege of audit exemption on a first occasion, in a five-year period, of late filing of an annual return with the Companies Registration Office. Section 22 will replace section 363 of the Companies Act 2014. Section 363 in summary provided that if a company failed to submit an annual return it would lose its audit exemption for the succeeding two years. Section 22 amends this and introduces a graduated regime which means that audit exemption will only be lost if a company files its annual return late more than once in a five-year period. Section 22 also provides that a company’s first annual return or previous failure to file an annual return before the commencement of the provision (as the company has already lost its audit exemption) shall not be considered a previous failure. This is a matter that we have made numerous representations on for the last number of years. While we advise members to file on time, there will be genuine reasons why a filing deadline is missed and commencing this provision should reduce the burden on those companies.   It is great to see the commencement of this piece of legislation before the peak filing season commences which will give clarity to members who may need to benefit from it.   Please see the press release here. Please see the DETE press release here and a notice from the CRO.      

The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) has today published its second Annual Report. The CEA writes that the Report details the CEA’s activities during 2024 in furthering its strategic objectives as set out in its Statement of Strategy 2022-2025. The Report features 22 case studies that highlight the wide-ranging impact of the CEA. Those case studies evidence a careful and tiered approach towards the utilisation of the CEA’s suite of enforcement powers. Please click the link to read the CEA press release with a summary of the highlights of the report and click to read the CEA 2nd Annual Report. This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.

From the Professional Accountancy team…... Update of 16 July 2025 :the High Court put a stay on the restriction order for four months to give the directors time to organise their affairs. It is not yet clear if the directors will appeal the decision to restrict them . Background In the  case of Downtul Limited (in liquidation ) Patrick O'Connell, Ciaran Butler and Colum Butler the liquidator of Downtul Limited (“Downtul”) sought to have two directors (the Respondents) restricted for a period of 5 years from acting as director or secretary of a company. Downtul entered a lease (“Lease”) with Stephen Court Limited (landlord) in respect of a property from which a Starbucks outlet was operated. A separate related company (Atercin Liffey Unlimited Company, “Atercin”) operated the Starbucks. Downtul did not occupy or use the leased property and had no income, or means to generate income, to discharge the liabilities arising under the Lease, including rent. There was also no evidence of any enforceable mechanism for Downtul to recover monies from Atercin to meet its liabilities. Restriction of director -acting honestly & responsibly The case established that Downtul bore the liability and burden of the Lease. The separate related company Atercin occupied and traded from the property and earned revenue from that trade. At all times since the Lease was entered, Atercin and not Downtul had occupied the Property and operated the coffee shop throughout the term of the Lease.  There was no evidence of any agreement or consideration being given to the rights of Downtul. In allowing Downtul to enter and maintain these arrangements, and in failing to ensure an enforceable mechanism by which Downtul could obtain the funds necessary to discharge its liabilities as they fell due or otherwise protect its position, the Respondents failed to demonstrate responsible conduct with regard to the interests of Downtul as a separate legal entity within the Group. Mainly for the above reasons the judge was not satisfied the respondents has acted responsibly in conducting the affairs of Downtul. It was noted that a finding of illegality or unlawfulness is not required to restrict a director under S819. the fact that a transaction is not unlawful does not mean it is not relevant to assessing a director’s honesty or responsibility. The judge also said that the failure to keep proper accounting records, the omission of material disclosures from the financial statements and the failure to minute a single board meeting since 2017 are also – independently of her primary findings of irresponsibility – separate grounds on which she was not satisfied that the Respondents acted responsibly. As she was not satisfied that the Respondents acted responsibly with regard to the conduct of the affairs of Downtul the judge said she was mandated by section 819(2) to make the declaration of restriction sought by the Liquidator.   Accounting records and materiality/disclosure/corporate governance The judgement stated that there were no accounting records, disclosures in financial statements, or board minutes which even refer to the apparent arrangements between Downtul and Atercin. The financial statements make no reference to the Lease or to the receipt of monies from Atercin to pay the rent and other charges associated with the Starbucks property. This the court said underlines the lack of transparency in relation to the affairs of Downtul. Company accounts and records should contain a true and fair view of the company’s financial position. The case also considered the issue of disclosure of material transactions under FRS 102(1A) to ensure a “true and fair view” is given of the company’s financial position. The judge said that a responsible view of Downtul’s financial position would lead to the conclusion that the Lease and issues that arose with the landlord (rent suspension, legal proceedings) are matters that would be material for a user of the financial statements. The evidence and perspective of the Liquidator that these items collectively are material and significant for Downtul was accepted by the court. The judge found in the particular circumstances of Downtul, and the specific evidence adduced, the books that were kept were not sufficient to demonstrate a responsible approach by the Respondents to the maintenance of accounting records such as to enable compliance with section 282 of the Companies Act 2014. the fact that it is a small company or a company with limited activity does not provide an excuse or justification for not maintaining even a minimum record of Downtul’s transactions (quite apart from the more fundamental issues with Downtul’s interaction with Atercin). Finally, on the corporate governance side the judge noted that the Respondents chose to become directors of more than 170 and more than 200 companies respectively. Being a director of so many companies brings with it onerous and important responsibilities. She was not suggesting this is a light task when the Respondents are responsible for some 150- 200 companies, but it was the Respondents who made the decision to incorporate and direct the affairs of such a significant number of companies. The fact they have so burdened themselves cannot absolve them of the obligation to separately discharge the duties incumbent on them in each of those roles. The only question is whether they acted responsibly with regard to the affairs of Downtul. In the absence of any record of a meeting or decision with regard to Downtul from 2017 onwards, she simply could not be, and was not, satisfied in that respect. Conclusion The judgment contains an extensive examination of the grounds for restricting a director under section 819 of Companies Act 2014. There are other useful aspects to this judgment also, including for example an account of the relevant duties of expert witnesses. Readers should note that the judge found that the respondents discharged the burden of showing they acted honestly. However, because she found they had not acted responsibly this was enough to trigger the operation of the restriction provisions in section 819. It should also be noted that the directors have been restricted for 5 years, not disqualified. Restricted means that the person cannot act as a company director (or secretary) for 5 years unless the company of which they wish to be director has an allotted share capital of €100,000 (in the case of companies other than PLCs) with each allotted share to be paid for in cash. Readers can find out more about disqualification of directors in the Corporate Enforcement Authority’s very useful note on the subject CEA Information Note 2024/1 -Circumstances leading to disqualification under the Companies Act 2014 and the associated consequences. This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.                    

One of the measures set out in the UK Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act is one to improve transparency by making more company financial information available to the public.   Companies House has announced that over the coming days it will start to contact by email all the UK companies on their register to let them know that from 1 April 2027, all accounts filings must be made using commercial software. From then web and paper routes will be closed for accounts filings but will remain open for other statutory filings.   UK Accounts filing options will be also streamlined from April 2027 for small and micro-entity companies. From then micro-entities will be required to file a copy of their balance sheet and profit and loss account. Small companies will be required to file a copy of balance sheet, directors’ report, auditor’s report (unless exempt) and profit and loss account.  Companies will no longer be able to prepare and file ‘abridged’ accounts. Related changes include updates to audit exemptions and accounting reference periods. For more information on these planned changes readers can check out Changes to accounts article on Companies‘ House website. This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.

from the Professional Accountancy team ... The ‘28th regime’ a new EU legal framework for innovative companies is  a proposed legal framework that is additional to the national legal frameworks of the 27 Member States .It was referenced in the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass of January 2025 and the European Commission's work programme of February 2025 .The idea behind it is that the EU will offer a parallel, elective legal framework that businesses can choose to operate under ,simplifying applicable rules and  bypassing the different national legal frameworks. In June 2025 the EU Commissioner for Justice Democracy and the Rule of Law ,Michael Mc Grath, appointed Dr Tom Courtney a solicitor ,leading author on Irish company law and previous chair of the Irish Company Law Review Group as his special adviser to advise him on the proposal for a new 28th regime company .Dr Courtney writes that this is a very important EU initiative to make it possible for companies to benefit from a simpler harmonised set of EU wide rules . This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.  

The Institute has today published a webpage on Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 - Changes in Companies House.  The aim of this webpage is to inform members of the recent Companies House identity verification changes and how to register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. These identity verification requirements came into effect on a voluntary basis on 8 April 2025 and will be mandatory for all company directors and People with Significant Control from Autumn 2025.  It also sets out other changes to be introduced by Companies House at a later date and reminds members of the changes from phase 1 last year.   

The UK Government has published in draft the Companies (Directors' Remuneration and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. They have not yet been adopted and that date is currently unknown. If adopted the legislation will repeal most requirements relating to the reporting of directors’ remuneration by quoted companies that were added in 2019 to implement the EU revised Shareholder Rights Directive. The explanatory memorandum explains that those requirements overlapped considerably with the reporting framework as it was before the Directive’s implementation, or added no material value to shareholders so this legislation would remove most of these requirements, to avoid duplicative or unnecessary reporting. It will also make changes to the existing audit regulatory framework to address some gaps or inconsistencies in regulations that have been identified by Government and the audit regulator, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). The changes form part of wider action being taken by the Government to streamline the UK’s non-financial reporting framework. Readers can find more information about the changes in the explanatory memorandum to the Companies (Directors’ Remuneration and Audit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.  

From the Professional Accountancy team…… The Government has in recent days issued its Spring Legislative Programme 2025 the first since the new Government took office. In it there is some proposed legislation which may be of interest to members. Co-operatives The Co-operative Societies bill is listed for priority drafting. This legislation aims to place the co-operative model on a more favourable and clearer legal basis, thereby creating a level playing field with companies and encouraging the consideration of the co-operative model as an attractive formation option for entrepreneurs. Readers may recall that the previous Government in November 2022 approved the drafting of what was billed as ground-breaking legislation for the sector. The draft legislation proposes to repeal the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1893-2021 and provide a modern and effective legislative framework suitable for the diverse range of organisations using the co-operative model in Ireland. You can read more here by following the  link to the General Scheme of the Co-operative Societies Bill 2022. Readers can also go to the Institute’s technical hub pages where there is further information on this area. Other Also on the business regulation side, changes are proposed to the law on limited partnerships and business names. As we reported previously, heads of the general scheme for the Miscellaneous Provisions (Registration of Limited Partnerships and Business Names) Bill was published in July 2024  as both the limited partnership and business names legislation require updating to provide for modern business practices for those engaged in business using a business name or the limited partnership model .The Spring legislative programme indicates that work is ongoing on priority drafting of this legislation. Other legislation for priority publication is the National Cyber Security Bill to implement the Directive known as NIS 2 into Irish law. This directive was due to be transposed by 17 October 2024, so Ireland is overdue in its implementation. The previous government published heads of Bill of the National Cyber Security Bill in July 2024. Finally on this topic: - heads are in preparation for the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill .The Bill will give full effect to the EU Regulation ,the Artificial Intelligence Act and will designate the National Competent Authorities responsible for implementing and enforcing the EU Regulation and will provide for penalties for non-compliance. - the Autumn 2024 legislative programme referenced heads in preparation and priority publication of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill. This was stated to amend the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 (2010 Act) to ensure that Crypto Asset Service Providers are covered by national law in relation to Ireland’s Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing regime. Readers might note that in December 2024 the Minister for Justice by SI 724 of 2024 prescribed crypto asset service providers as designated persons under the 2010 Act. - the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024 which was published by the Dept of Finance last year  has been restored to the Dail order paper . This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.    

From the Institute's Professional Accounting team .... In December 2024 the UK Government laid legislation, the Companies (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2024 before Parliament to increase the monetary size thresholds for micro, small and medium-sized entities. It also removes certain requirements from the Directors’ Report.  The new monetary size threshold changes are effective from 6 April 2025. Please also click to read the explanatory memorandum to the legislation for further insight into the changes.                                This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.

from the Institute’s Professional Accounting team on the signing and part commencement of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act, 2024 (2024 Act ) Introduction The 2024 Act was signed into law on 12 November 2024. It makes changes to the Companies Act, 2014 (CA 2014). On behalf of its members, the Institute responded in 2023 to a Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE ) consultation on proposals to enhance the Companies Act 2014 which informed much of the provisions of the 2024 Act. Below we set out some of the new provisions which may be of interest to our members. Readers might note that there are other new provisions in the 2024 Act which are not outlined here. The Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (SI 639/2024) commenced certain of the provisions from 3 December 2024. A DETE December 2024 press release clarifies that the provisions not commencing on 3 December 2024 are those that require technical updates to be made to the Companies Registration Office (CRO)’s  computer systems to facilitate the changes proposed. These provisions relate to CRO prescribed forms and the removal of the automatic loss of audit exemption for small companies on a first occasion of failure to file an annual return.  DETE intends to commence these provisions in 2025. Audit exemption (not yet commenced) Once commenced, one of the most significant changes for our members is to the rules regarding loss of audit exemption. This provision will replace the automatic loss of the audit exemption for a first late filing with the CRO with a graduated regime where a company may file late once in a five-year period without the loss of audit exemption. The Institute is particularly delighted to see this provision as it is an area on which we have made numerous representations to the CRO and the DETE on behalf of members over the last number of years. Readers should note that the change does not extend to small group situations, and while there are some exemptions it is still generally the case that if one member of a small group fails to file its annual return on time, none of the small group companies is entitled to the audit exemption for the following two financial years. Registered office agent /electronic filing agent (not yet commenced) There will be changes in relation to a company’s registered office agent and electronic filing agents. These include the application to the Registrar of Companies (“Registrar “) in the prescribed form for approval to act as an electronic filing agent (EFA) and a registered office agent. Prior to the 2024 Act, application was made to the Registrar using an administrative form. Trust and Company Service Providers (TCSPs) will only be approved as a registered office agent or an EFA where they have a TCSP authorisation under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. Approval to act as an EFA or registered office agent will be withdrawn where a company ceases to hold a TCSP authorisation.  Evidence of situation of registered office (commenced) The 2024 Act includes a new section to provide that the Registrar may require evidence to verify a company’s registered office address when a company is applying to register its constitution or submitting a change of registered office address. Where the Registrar has made such a request, the Registrar will not register the documents unless such evidence is provided. Receivers (not all provisions commenced) The 2024 Act makes some changes in relation to receivers. Extension of the existing power of the court to fix remuneration of a receiver has been commenced. Matters to be considered for receivers under these new provisions include time spent, complexity of the case, exceptional responsibility on receiver, effectiveness of receiver, value, and nature of the property. This mirrors existing provisions for remuneration for liquidators in the CA 2014. Provisions have also been commenced concerning entitlement to remuneration of receivers by way of a relevant percentage, by reference to time spent or otherwise by reference to any method or thing. These new provisions are in line with existing provisions in the CA 2014 concerning entitlement of liquidators to remuneration.  Further information will be required on Form E8 which is filed upon the receiver’s appointment. The further information includes details of nature of assets, date and nature of appointment, information regarding future trading where practicable, and other prescribed information (not yet commenced). Members, creditors, and prescribed persons can request information regarding receivers’ terms and fees, and requests must be dealt with within 7 days. (not yet commenced). Also, the time limits for filing the receiver’s abstract (Form E9) upon cessation of acting as receiver and notice of cessation of receiver (Form E11) will now be 7 days. (not yet commenced). SCARP (not all provisions commenced) The technical changes to SCARP legislation have largely been commenced from 3 Dec. The ones which have not yet been commenced mainly relate to provisions for notices in ” prescribed form “. The SCARP provision has been commenced whereby the court can ask the process advisor (PA) for a written report stating the reasons for not doing so where the PA did not make use of the services of the staff and facilities of the company to which they were appointed where the court is considering any matter relating to the PA’s costs, expenses, and remuneration. Strike off and restoration (commenced) Provisions for 3 new grounds for strike off have been commenced (sections 58-64) (failure to notify of a change in registered office, no current company secretary recorded and failure to deliver beneficial ownership information). Readers may be interested to note that these three new grounds will not give rise to disqualification of the directors and the new provisions include the steps to be taken to avert continuation of the strike off under the three new grounds. IAASA (commenced) Provisions have been commenced giving IAASA power to issue an interim direction imposing restrictions on a statutory auditor that a possible relevant contravention has been committed and that it is appropriate in the public interest to do so. IAASA will invite and consider submissions received from the restricted person and will within 21 days either confirm vary or revoke the interim notice. The restrictions remain in place until the investigation is complete. An interim notice will be reviewed every 6 months or a shorter period and automatically expires after 18 months unless a further interim notice is issued. Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) - Enhanced powers (commenced) The following provisions have been commenced: - -Under the 2014 Act, auditors must notify the CEA when they form the opinion that certain offences have been committed. New provisions oblige the auditors, if requested by the CEA, to furnish the CEA with copies of documents and to certify them as true copies or extracts; -Provisions allowing for the CEA to share otherwise confidential information with additional statutory bodies such as the Data Protection Commission and the Charities Regulatory Authority; -Provisions whereby it is a category 2 offence for a person to obstruct or interfere with an officer of the CEA . For a category 2 offence , on summary conviction, punishment is a class A fine which is a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both; -Greater information gathering powers (including access to certain court orders and mandatory notification requirement in certain instances). Electronic meetings (commenced) Electronic participation in general meetings has been put on a permanent statutory footing and there are now provisions for notices, quorum and proceedings and virtual voting at such meetings. Readers may recall that in December 2023 these provisions which were introduced during the pandemic were temporarily extended to 31 December 2024. Note that the new provisions do not apply to creditors meetings or meetings to consider schemes of arrangements. This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages

From the Professional Accountancy team The President signed the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024 into law on 12 November 2024. Provisions which will be of interest to our members were outlined in our news item in March 2024 following publication of the general scheme of the Bill .These include change in the rules regarding loss of audit exemption, provisions relating to receivers, some new grounds for company strike off and provisions regarding registered office and electronic filing agents.  Following publication of the draft Bill in August 2024 we did a further update on the Bill noting that most but not all of the provisions of the General Scheme had been included in the Bill .Click for the August 2024 updated news item.  At the time of writing, publication of the legislation on the Irish Statute Book as passed  and details of its commencement into law is awaited.This should be available very shortly and we will provided further updates when information on this is made available. This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.    

  Please click the link to read our company law news item of March 2024 when the General Scheme of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024 (“General Scheme”) was published by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE). DETE has now published the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024 (“Bill”). The Bill includes substantially all the provisions of the General Scheme though it is worth noting that some of the provisions contained in the General Scheme in relation to the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) are not included in the Bill. We set out below some additional points to our earlier note which may be of interest to readers. Readers should note that there are likely to be further amendments of the Bill as it progresses through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Provisions regarding registered office Changes are proposed in relation to a company’s registered office and electronic filing agents. These include the approval by the Registrar of Companies (“Registrar “) of a company as an electronic filing agent (EFA) and as a registered office agent. Trust and Company Service Providers (TCSPs) will only be approved as a registered office agent or an EFA where they have a TCSP authorisation under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.Approval to act as an EFA or registered office agent will be withdrawn where a company ceases to hold a TCSP authorisation.   The Bill includes a new section to provide that the Registrar may require evidence to verify a company’s registered office address when a company is applying to register its constitution or submitting a change of registered office address. Where the Registrar has made such a request, the Registrar will not register the documents unless such evidence is provided. Loss of Audit Exemption As set out in our previous note, a change to the rules regarding loss of audit exemption for small companies which fail to file their annual return is proposed. The current position is that the exemption is lost after one failure to file. The change proposed is that the company will not be entitled to an audit exemption for the following two years where it fails to deliver its annual return and has previously failed to file an annual return, in compliance with section 343 of the Companies Act 2014, in any of the previous 5 financial years. Proposed subsection (2) provides that a company’s failure to deliver its first annual return or a previous failure to file an annual return before the commencement of the provision shall not be considered as a previous failure for the purposes of subsection (1). Provisions regarding the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) Section 393 provides that an auditor must notify the CEA if during an audit the auditor comes into possession of information leading them to form the opinion that there are reasonable grounds to believe a category 1 or 2 offence under the Companies Act 2014 has been committed. The Bill proposes an extra subsection requiring the auditor to furnish the CEA with such copies of, or extracts from, those books and documents as the CEA may require, accompanied by a certificate of the statutory auditors, bearing their signatures, stating that the copies or extracts so furnished are a true copy of, or extract from, the original books or documents concerned. (Note: the draft wording in the Bill is slightly different to the draft in the General Scheme). Provisions relating to IAASA The Bill proposes changes to delete the requirement that IAASA approves the constitution and bye laws of each prescribed accountancy body. Approval of the investigation and disciplinary procedures and standards of each prescribed accountancy body, and any amendments to the approved investigation and disciplinary procedures and standards is still required. Provisions in the General Scheme concerning the issuance of interim notices by IAASA are also contained in the Bill, now referenced as interim direction required to protect [the] public. Other The proposed amendment which we referenced in our previous news item so that weekends and public holidays are excluded from the time counted towards the minimum 48-hour notice required to appoint proxies has not been included in the Bill. This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the pages. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of these pages, we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained in these pages.