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S.I. No. 206/2009 - European Communities (Assessment of Acquisitions In the Financial Sector) Regulations 2009

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Acquisitions In the Financial Sector) Regulations 2009 S.I. No. 206/2009 - European Communities (Assessment

Acquisitions In the Financial Sector) Regulations 2009 AmendmentsLeasuithe Download PDF Íoslódáil PDF S.I. No. 206

2009 EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ASSESSMENT

ACQUISITIONS IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR) REGULATIONS 2009 Notice

the making

this Statutory Instrument was published in “Iris Oifigiúil”

9th June, 2009. I, BRIAN LENIHAN, Minister for Finance, in exercise

the powers conferred on me by section 3

the European Communities Act 1972 (No. 27

1972), as amended by the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 (No. 25

1993), and for the purpose

giving effect to Directive 2007/44/EC 1

the European Parliament and

the Council amending Council Directive 92/49/EEC 2 and Directives 2002/83/EC 3 , 2004/39/EC 4 , 2005/68/EC 5 and 2006/48/EC 6

the European Parliament and

the Council as regards procedural rules and evaluation criteria for the prudential assessment

acquisitions and increase

holdings in the financial sector, hereby make the following regulations: Citation. 1. These Regulations may be cited as the European Communities (Assessment

Acquisitions in the Financial Sector) Regulations

  1. Commencement.
  2. These Regulations come into operation on the day after the day on which notice

their making is published in Iris Oifigiúil. Amendment

the European Communities (Licensing and Supervision

Credit Institutions) Regulations

  1. The European Communities (Licensing and Supervision

Credit Institutions) Regulations 1992 ( S.I. No. 395

1992 ) are amended as follows: (a) in Regulation 2

(1)— (i) by inserting before the definition

“authorisation” the following: “ ‘assessment period’, in relation to a proposed acquisition, means the period during which, under Regulation 14B, the Bank is required to complete the assessment

the acquisition, and includes any extension

that period under paragraph

(7)or
(9)

that Regulation;”, (ii) by substituting for the definition

“qualifying holding” the following: “ ‘prescribed percentage’ means 20%, 33% or 50%; ‘proposed acquirer’ has the meaning given by paragraph

(2); ‘proposed acquisition’ has the meaning given by paragraph
(3); ‘qualifying holding’ in a credit institution means, subject to Regulation 2A, a direct or indirect holding— (a) that represents 10% or more

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the credit institution, or (b) that makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management

the credit institution;”, and (iii) by substituting for the definition

“undertaking” the following: “ ‘undertaking’ has the same meaning as it has in Regulation 3

the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations 1992 ( S.I. No. 201

1992 ); ‘working day’ means a day that is not a Saturday nor a Sunday nor a public holiday within the meaning

the Organisation

Working Time Act 1997 (No. 20

1997).”; (b) in Regulation 2 by inserting after paragraph (1A) the following: “(1B) A reference in these Regulations to a ‘proposed acquirer’ is a reference to a person who proposes to acquire or increase a qualifying holding in a credit institution, and includes a group

persons acting in concert to acquire or increase such a holding. (1C) A reference in these Regulations to a ‘proposed acquisition’ is a reference to— (a) the proposed acquisition

a qualifying holding in a credit institution, or (b) a proposed increase in a qualifying holding in such an institution that results in the size

the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage.”; (c) by inserting after regulation 2 the following: “Determination

voting rights for certain purposes. 2A.

(1)For the purpose

determining whether a holding in a credit institution— (

  1. a)is a qualifying holding, or (
  2. b)has reached or exceeded or will reach or exceed a prescribed percentage

the capital

or voting rights in the credit institution, the rules regarding the calculation

voting rights in Regulations 9 and 10, paragraphs

(4)and
(5)

Regulation 12 and Regulations 14

(5), 15 to 17 and 21
(6)

the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 277

2007 ) and the conditions regarding aggregation

voting rights in Regulation 18

those Regulations shall be taken into account.

(2)For those purposes, voting rights or shares that an investment firm or credit institution holds as a result

providing the underwriting

financial instruments or placing

financial instruments on a firm commitment basis shall not be taken into account if those rights or shares are not exercised or otherwise used to intervene in the management

the issuer and are disposed

within one year

acquisition.”; (d) by substituting for Regulation 14 the following: “Restrictions on acquiring and disposing

qualifying holdings in credit institutions. 14.

(1)A proposed acquirer shall not, directly or indirectly, acquire a qualifying holding in a credit institution without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(2)A proposed acquirer who has a qualifying holding in a credit institution shall not, directly or indirectly, increase the size

the holding without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the increase— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the credit institution that the proposed acquirer holds would reach or exceed a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a proposed acquirer that is a company or other body corporate, the credit institution would become the proposed acquirer’s subsidiary.

(3)A notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)shall include sufficient information to enable the Bank to consider the proposed acquisition concerned against the criteria in paragraphs
(1)and
(2)

Regulation 14C, and in particular shall include information on who the proposed acquirers are, the individuals to be responsible for their management, how the proposed acquisition is to be financed (including details

any proposed issue

financial instruments) and the structure

the resulting group.

(4)The information to be provided in a notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)is that required by the form

notification published by the Bank on 25 May 2009 entitled “Acquiring Transaction Notification Form”, and includes any document in relation to the proposed acquisition or proposed acquirer concerned required by that form.

(5)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

a qualifying holding in a credit institution without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(6)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

part

a qualifying holding in a credit institution without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the disposal— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the credit institution that the person holds would fall to or below a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a person that is a company or other body corporate, the credit institution would cease to be the person’s subsidiary. Credit institutions to provide information on certain acquisitions and disposals. 14A.

(1)If a credit institution becomes aware

the acquisition

a qualifying holding in it, or an increase in the size

such a holding that results in the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage, the credit institution shall inform the Bank in writing

the acquisition or increase without delay.

(2)If a credit institution becomes aware

a disposal

, or a reduction in the size

, a holding in it that results in the holding ceasing to be a qualifying holding or falling to or below a prescribed percentage, the credit institution shall inform the Bank in writing

the disposal or reduction without delay. Period for assessment

proposed acquisition. 14B.

(1)Within two working days after receiving a completed notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)

Regulation 14 from a proposed acquirer, the Bank shall acknowledge receipt

the notification in writing.

(2)For the purposes

paragraph

(1), a notification is completed if it gives all the information (whether in the notification itself or as an attachment) required by Regulation 14 to be provided for the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned.

(3)Within 60 working days after the date

the written acknowledgement referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall carry out the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned in accordance with Regulation 14C.

(4)In its acknowledgement

receipt

a notification referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall inform the proposed acquirer concerned

the date on which the assessment period will end.

(5)During the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition, but no later than the 50th working day

that period, the Bank may request any further information necessary to complete the assessment

the acquisition. If the Bank makes such a request it shall acknowledge the receipt

any information received in response to the request.

(6)A request under paragraph
(5)shall be made in writing and shall specify or describe the additional information needed.
(7)Subject to paragraph
(9), if the Bank makes a request under paragraph
(5)the assessment period is to be taken to be interrupted for the shorter

— (a) the period between the date

the request and the date

the receipt

a response from the proposed acquirer concerned, and (b) 20 working days.

(8)The Bank may request still further information for completion or clarification

information already supplied but such a further request does not interrupt the assessment period.

(9)The Bank may, by written notice to the proposed acquirer concerned, extend the interruption referred to in paragraph
(7)in relation to a proposed acquisition to 30 working days if the proposed acquirer— (
  1. a)is situated or regulated outside the Community; or (
  2. b)is not subject to supervision under a law

a Member State that gives effect to Directive 85/611/EEC 7 , 92/49/EEC 8 , 2002/83/EC 9 , 2004/39/EC 10 , 2005/68/EC 11 or 2006/48/EC 12 . Assessment

proposed acquisitions. 14C.

(1)The objective

the assessment

a proposed acquisition is to ensure the sound and prudent management

the credit institution concerned.

(2)In assessing a proposed acquisition, the Bank— (a) shall have regard to the likely influence

the proposed acquirer concerned on the credit institution concerned, and (b) shall appraise the suitability

the proposed acquirer and the financial soundness

the proposed acquisition concerned against all

the following criteria: (i) the reputation

the proposed acquirer; (ii) the reputation and experience

the individuals who will direct the business

the credit institution as a result

the proposed acquisition; (iii) the financial soundness

the proposed acquirer, in particular in relation to the type

business pursued and envisaged in the credit institution; (iv) whether the credit institution will be able to comply and continue to comply with the prudential requirements

existing legislation; (v) whether the group

which it will become a part has a structure that makes it possible to exercise effective supervision, effectively exchange information among the competent authorities and determine the allocation

responsibilities among the competent authorities; (vi) whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that, in connection with the proposed acquisition, money laundering or terrorist financing (within the meaning

Article 1

Directive 2005/60/EC 13 ) is being or has been committed or attempted, or that the proposed acquisition could increase the risk

money laundering or terrorist financing.

(3)The Bank shall not examine a proposed acquisition in terms

the economic needs

the market.

(4)Where two or more proposals to acquire or increase qualifying holdings in the same credit institution have been notified to the Bank, the Bank shall treat the proposed acquirers concerned in a non-discriminatory manner. Bank to cooperate with competent authorities

other Member States in certain cases. 14D.

(1)In carrying out its assessment

a proposed acquisition, the Bank shall work in full consultation with the relevant competent authorities

other Member States if the proposed acquirer concerned is— (a) an insurance undertaking, reinsurance undertaking, credit institution, investment firm or UCITS management company, or the market operator

a regulated market, authorised by a competent authority

another Member State, (b) the parent undertaking

such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator, or (c) a person that controls such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator.

(2)In paragraph
(1)(a) ‘UCITS management company’ and ‘market operator

a regulated market’ respectively have the same meanings as in the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 60

2007 ).

(3)In a case to which paragraph
(1)applies, the Bank shall, without undue delay, provide any other competent authority concerned with any information that is essential or relevant for the assessment

a proposed acquisition. The Bank shall communicate to each such other competent authority all relevant information upon request and all essential information on its own initiative.

(4)A decision by the Bank, in the case

a proposed acquisition in a credit institution authorised by the Bank, shall indicate any views or reservations expressed by the competent authority responsible for the proposed acquirer concerned. Bank may fix period for completion

acquisition, etc. 14E.

(1)The Bank may fix a maximum period within which a proposed acquisition shall be completed, and may extend any period so fixed.
(2)If the Bank has given notice in relation to a proposed acquisition that the Bank does not oppose the acquisition, the Bank may impose a condition or a requirement or both, being a condition or a requirement that the Bank considers necessary for the proper and orderly regulation and supervision

credit institutions, and may at any time revoke or vary any condition or requirement so imposed. Notice

Bank’s decision. 14F.

(1)If on completing the assessment

a proposed acquisition the Bank decides to oppose it, the Bank shall, within two working days, but before the end

the assessment period, so inform the proposed acquirer concerned in writing and give reasons for that decision.

(2)Subject to any other law, the Bank shall publish an appropriate statement

the reasons for the decision if the proposed acquirer concerned so requests. The Bank may in its discretion publish such a statement even without any request by the proposed acquirer.

(3)If the Bank does not give notice in writing within the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition that it opposes the acquisition, the acquisition is taken, for the purposes

any other law that requires the acquisition to be approved by the Bank, to have been so approved. Bank may oppose certain acquisitions. 14G. The Bank may oppose a proposed acquisition only if— (a) there are reasonable grounds for doing so on the basis

the criteria in paragraphs

(1)and
(2)

Regulation 14C, or (b) the information provided by the proposed acquirer concerned in its notification under paragraph

(1)or
(2)

Regulation 14 is incomplete, or the proposed acquirer has not provided information in response to a request under paragraph

(5)or
(8)

Regulation 14B. Decision to oppose proposed acquisition to be appealable. 14H. A decision by the Bank to oppose a proposed acquisition, to impose a condition or requirement on a proposed acquisition, or to vary such a condition or requirement, is an appealable decision for the purposes

Part VII

A

the Central Bank Act 1942 (No. 22

1942). Circumstances in which proposed acquisition not to be completed. 14I.

(1)The proposed acquirer in relation to a proposed acquisition may complete the acquisition only if— (a) the proposed acquirer has notified the Bank

the acquisition in accordance with paragraph

(1)or
(2)

Regulation 14, (b) the Bank has acknowledged that notification in accordance with Regulation 14B

(1), and (
  1. c)either— (
  2. i)the assessment period in relation to the acquisition has ended and the Bank has not notified the proposed acquirer that it opposes the acquisition, or (
  3. ii)the Bank has notified the proposed acquirer that it does not oppose the acquisition.
(2)If a proposed acquirer purports to complete a proposed acquisition in contravention

paragraph

(1)— (a) the purported acquisition is

no effect to pass title to any share or any other interest, and (b) any exercise

powers based on the purported acquisition

the holding concerned is void. Effect

section 201

the Companies Act 1963 . 14J. If a transaction is both a proposed acquisition and a compromise or arrangement for the purposes

sections 201 and 202

the Companies Act 1963 (No. 33

1963), the court shall not make an order under section 201

that Act in relation to the transaction until after the end

the assessment period in relation to the transaction under Regulation 14B. Credit institutions to provide information about shareholdings, etc. 14K. A credit institution shall, at times specified by the Bank and at least once a year, notify the Bank

the names

shareholders or members who have qualifying holdings and the size

each such holding.

fence

providing false or misleading information, etc. 14L. A person who provides the Bank with information in purported compliance with a requirement

or under any

Regulations 14 to 14L, knowing the information to be false or misleading, commits an

fence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €1,900. Powers

court in relation to certain persons with qualifying holdings. 14M.

(1)Where the Bank has reason to believe that a person who has a qualifying holding in the shares

, or voting rights attaching to shares in, a credit institution is exercising an influence on the direction

the affairs

the credit institution which is, or is likely to be, detrimental to the prudent and sound management

the credit institution, it shall, subject to paragraph

(2), notify the person that it so believes and direct the person in writing to take specified measures to bring that influence to an end within a specified period.
(2)Before issuing a direction to a person under paragraph
(1), the Bank shall notify the person

its intention to issue the direction and shall give the person an opportunity to make such representations on the matter as he or she may wish to make within a period specified by the Bank in the notification.

(3)A direction issued under paragraph
(1)is an appealable decision for the purposes

Part VII

A

the Central Bank Act 1942 .

(4)Where the Bank is

the opinion that a direction under paragraph

(1)has not been complied with by the person concerned, or has not been complied with within the specified period

time, the Bank may, without prejudice to any

its other functions, do any one or more

the following: (a) issue a direction to the credit institution concerned under section 21 (as amended by the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority

Ireland Act 2004 (No.21

2004))

the Central Bank Act 1971 (No.24

1971) (and for that purpose the references in that section to ‘holder

a licence’ and ‘holder’ shall be read as a reference to a credit institution and the references to ‘banking business’ and ‘banking’ shall be read as references to the taking

deposits or granting

credit by a credit institution); (

  1. b)apply to the Court in a summary manner— (
  2. i)for an injunction prohibiting the person concerned from issuing directions to directors or to any manager, secretary,

ficer or staff

, or persons engaged by, the credit institution and prohibiting any director, manager, secretary,

ficer or any other person acting on behalf

the credit institution from seeking directions from, or consulting, the person concerned, or from acting on such directions without the consent

the Bank, (ii) to suspend the exercise by the person concerned

any interest in or voting rights attaching to shares held by that person in the credit institution concerned, (iii) for an order from the Court requiring the person concerned to dispose

some or all

his shareholding, interests or rights in the credit institution within a period specified by the Court, or (iv) for such other order as the Court considers appropriate.

(5)Where the Court is satisfied, because

the nature or the circumstances

the case or otherwise in the interests

justice that it is desirable, the whole or any part

proceedings before it under this Regulation may be heard otherwise than in public.”. Amendment

the European Communities (Non-Life Insurance) Framework Regulations

  1. The European Communities (Non-Life Insurance) Framework Regulations 1994 ( S.I. No. 359

1994 ) are amended as follows: (a) in Article 2

(1), by inserting after the definition

“participation”: “ ‘qualifying holding’ means, subject to Article 2A, a direct or indirect holding in an insurance undertaking— (a) that represents 10% or more

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the undertaking, or (b) that makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management

the undertaking;”; (b) by inserting after Article 2— “Determination

voting rights for certain purposes. 2A.

(1)For the purpose

determining whether a holding in an insurance undertaking— (

  1. a)is a qualifying holding, or (
  2. b)has reached or exceeded or will reach or exceed a prescribed percentage

the capital

or voting rights in the undertaking, the rules regarding the calculation

voting rights in Regulations 9 and 10, paragraphs

(4)and
(5)

Regulation 12 and Regulations 14

(5), 15 to 17 and 21
(6)

the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 277

2007 ) and the conditions regarding aggregation

voting rights in Regulation 18

those Regulations shall be taken into account.

(2)For that purpose, voting rights or shares that an investment firm or credit institution holds as a result

providing the underwriting

financial instruments or placing

financial instruments on a firm commitment basis shall not be taken into account if those rights or shares are not exercised or otherwise used to intervene in the management

the issuer and are disposed

within one year

acquisition.”; (c) in Article 9, by deleting paragraph

(4); (d) by substituting for Articles 20 to 20E the following: “Interpretation and effect: Part 3. 20.
(1)In this Part— ‘assessment period’, in relation to a proposed acquisition, means the period during which, under Article 20C, the Bank is required to complete the assessment

the acquisition, and includes any extension

that period under paragraph

(7)or
(9)

that Article; ‘credit institution’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 380

2006 ); ‘investment firm’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 380

2006 ); ‘parent undertaking’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations 1992 ( S.I. No. 201

1992 ); ‘prescribed percentage’ means 20%, 33% or 50%; ‘proposed acquirer’ has the meaning given by paragraph

(2); ‘proposed acquisition’ has the meaning given by paragraph
(3); ‘subsidiary’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations 1992; ‘working day’ means a day that is not a Saturday nor a Sunday nor a public holiday within the meaning

the Organisation

Working Time Act 1997 (No. 20

1997).

(2)A reference in this Part to a “proposed acquirer” is a reference to a person who proposes to acquire or increase a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking, and includes a group

persons acting in concert to acquire or increase such a holding.

(3)A reference in this Part to a “proposed acquisition” is a reference to— (a) the proposed acquisition

a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking, or (b) a proposed increase in a qualifying holding in such an undertaking that results in the size

the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage. Restrictions on acquiring and disposing

qualifying holdings in insurance undertakings. 20A.

(1)A proposed acquirer shall not, directly or indirectly, acquire a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(2)A proposed acquirer who has a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking shall not, directly or indirectly, increase the size

the holding without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the increase— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the undertaking that the proposed acquirer holds would reach or exceed a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a proposed acquirer that is a company or other body corporate, the undertaking would become the proposed acquirer’s subsidiary.

(3)A notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)shall include sufficient information to enable the Bank to consider the proposed acquisition concerned against the criteria in paragraphs
(1)and
(2)

Article 20

D, and in particular shall include information on who the proposed acquirers are, the individuals to be responsible for their management, how the proposed acquisition is to be financed (including details

any proposed issue

financial instruments) and the structure

the resulting group.

(4)The information to be provided in a notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)is that required by the form

notification published by the Bank on 25 May 2009 entitled “Acquiring Transaction Notification Form”, and includes any document in relation to the proposed acquisition or proposed acquirer concerned required by that form.

(5)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(6)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

part

a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the disposal— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the undertaking that the person holds would fall to or below a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a person that is a company or other body corporate, the undertaking would cease to be the person’s subsidiary. Insurance undertakings to provide information on certain acquisitions and disposals. 20B.

(1)If an insurance undertaking becomes aware

the acquisition

a qualifying holding in it, or an increase in the size

such a holding that results in the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage, the undertaking shall inform the Bank in writing

the acquisition or increase without delay.

(2)If an insurance undertaking becomes aware

a disposal

, or a reduction in the size

, a holding in it that results in the holding ceasing to be a qualifying holding or falling to or below a prescribed percentage, the undertaking shall inform the Bank in writing

the disposal or reduction without delay. Period for assessment

proposed acquisition. 20C.

(1)Within two working days after receiving a completed notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)

Article 20

A from a proposed acquirer, the Bank shall acknowledge receipt

the notification in writing.

(2)For the purposes

paragraph

(1), a notification is completed if it gives all the information (whether in the notification itself or as an attachment) required by Article 20A to be provided for the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned.

(3)Within 60 working days after the date

the written acknowledgement referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall carry out the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned in accordance with Article 20D.

(4)In its acknowledgement

receipt

a notification referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall inform the proposed acquirer concerned

the date on which the assessment period will end.

(5)During the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition, but no later than the 50th working day

that period, the Bank may request any further information necessary to complete the assessment

the acquisition. If the Bank makes such a request it shall acknowledge the receipt

any information received in response to the request.

(6)A request under paragraph
(5)shall be made in writing and shall specify or describe the additional information needed.
(7)Subject to paragraph
(9), if the Bank makes a request under paragraph
(5)the assessment period is to be taken to be interrupted for the shorter

— (a) the period between the date

the request and the date

the receipt

a response from the proposed acquirer concerned, and (b) 20 working days.

(8)The Bank may request still further information for completion or clarification

information already supplied but such a further request does not interrupt the assessment period.

(9)The Bank may, by written notice to a proposed acquirer, extend the interruption referred to in paragraph
(7)in relation to a proposed acquisition to 30 working days if the proposed acquirer— (
  1. a)is situated or regulated outside the Community; or (
  2. b)is not subject to supervision under a law

a Member State that gives effect to Directive 85/611/EEC 1 , 92/49/EEC 2 , 2002/83/EC 3 , 2004/39/EC 4 , 2005/68/EC 5 or 2006/48/EC 6 . Assessment

proposed acquisitions. 20D.

(1)The objective

the assessment

a proposed acquisition is to ensure the sound and prudent management

the insurance undertaking concerned.

(2)In assessing a proposed acquisition, the Bank— (a) shall have regard to the likely influence

the proposed acquirer concerned on the undertaking, and (b) shall appraise the suitability

the proposed acquirer and the financial soundness

the proposed acquisition concerned against all

the following criteria: (i) the reputation

the proposed acquirer; (ii) the reputation and experience

the individuals who will direct the business

the undertaking as a result

the proposed acquisition; (iii) the financial soundness

the proposed acquirer, in particular in relation to the type

business pursued and envisaged in the undertaking in which the acquisition is proposed; (iv) whether the undertaking will be able to comply and continue to comply with the prudential requirements

existing legislation; (v) whether the group

which it will become a part has a structure that makes it possible to exercise effective supervision, effectively exchange information among the competent authorities and determine the allocation

responsibilities among the competent authorities; (vi) whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that, in connection with the proposed acquisition, money laundering or terrorist financing (within the meaning

Article 1

Directive 2005/60/EC7 ) is being or has been committed or attempted, or that the proposed acquisition could increase the risk

money laundering or terrorist financing.

(3)The Bank shall not examine a proposed acquisition in terms

the economic needs

the market.

(4)Where two or more proposals to acquire or increase qualifying holdings in the same insurance undertaking have been notified to the Bank, the Bank shall treat the proposed acquirers concerned in a non-discriminatory manner. Bank to cooperate with competent authorities

other Member States in certain cases. 20E.

(1)In carrying out its assessment

a proposed acquisition, the Bank shall work in full consultation with the relevant competent authorities

other Member States if the proposed acquirer concerned is— (a) an insurance undertaking, reinsurance undertaking, credit institution, investment firm or UCITS management company, or the market operator

a regulated market, authorised by a competent authority

another Member State, (b) the parent undertaking

such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator, or (c) a person that controls such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator.

(2)In paragraph
(1)(a), ‘UCITS management company’ and ‘market operator

a regulated market’ respectively have the same meanings as in the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 60

2007 ).

(3)In a case to which paragraph
(1)applies, the Bank shall, without undue delay, provide any other competent authority concerned with any information that is essential or relevant for the assessment

a proposed acquisition. The Bank shall communicate to each such other competent authority all relevant information upon request and all essential information on its own initiative.

(4)A decision by the Bank, in the case

a proposed acquisition in an insurance undertaking authorised by the Bank, shall indicate any views or reservations expressed by the competent authority responsible for the proposed acquirer concerned. Bank may fix period for completion

acquisition, etc. 20F.

(1)The Bank may fix a maximum period within which a proposed acquisition shall be completed, and may extend any period so fixed.
(2)If the Bank has given notice in relation to a proposed acquisition that the Bank does not oppose the acquisition, the Bank may impose either a condition or a requirement or both, being a condition or requirement that the Bank considers necessary for the proper and orderly regulation and supervision

insurance undertakings, and may at any time revoke or vary any condition or requirement so imposed. Notice

Bank’s decision. 20G.

(1)If on completing the assessment

a proposed acquisition the Bank decides to oppose it, the Bank shall, within two working days, but before the end

the assessment period, so inform the proposed acquirer concerned in writing and give reasons for that decision.

(2)Subject to any other law, the Bank shall publish an appropriate statement

the reasons for the decision if the proposed acquirer concerned so requests. The Bank may in its discretion publish such a statement even without any request by the proposed acquirer.

(3)If the Bank does not give notice in writing within the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition that it opposes the acquisition, the acquisition is taken, for the purposes

any other law that requires the acquisition to be approved by the Bank, to have been so approved. Bank may oppose certain acquisitions. 20H. The Bank may oppose a proposed acquisition only if— (a) there are reasonable grounds for doing so on the basis

the criteria in paragraphs

(1)and
(2)

Article 20

D, or (b) the information provided by the proposed acquirer concerned in its notification under Article 20A is incomplete, or the proposed acquirer has not provided information in response to a request under paragraph

(5)or
(8)

Article 20C. Decision to oppose proposed acquisition to be appealable.

20I. A decision by the Bank to oppose a proposed acquisition, or impose a condition or requirement on a proposed acquisition, or to vary such a condition or requirement is an appealable decision for the purposes

Part VII

A

the Central Bank Act 1942 (No. 22

1942). Circumstances in which proposed acquisition not to be completed. 20J.

(1)The proposed acquirer in relation to a proposed acquisition may complete the acquisition only if— (a) the proposed acquirer has notified the Bank

the acquisition in accordance with Article 20A, (b) the Bank has acknowledged that notification in accordance with Article 20C

(1), and (
  1. c)either— (
  2. i)the assessment period in relation to the acquisition has ended and the Bank has not notified the proposed acquirer that it opposes the acquisition, or (
  3. ii)the Bank has notified the proposed acquirer that it does not oppose the acquisition.
(2)If a proposed acquirer purports to complete a proposed acquisition in contravention

paragraph

(1)— (a) the purported acquisition is

no effect to pass title to any share or any other interest, and (b) any exercise

powers based on the purported acquisition

the holding concerned is void. Effect

section 201

the Companies Act 1963 . 20K. If a transaction is both a proposed acquisition and a compromise or arrangement for the purposes

sections 201 and 202

the Companies Act 1963 (No. 33

1963), the court shall not make an order under section 201

that Act in relation to the transaction until after the end

the assessment period in relation to the transaction. Insurance undertakings to provide information about shareholdings, etc. 20L. An insurance undertaking shall, at times specified by the Bank and at least once a year, notify the Bank

the names

shareholders or members who have qualifying holdings and the size

each such holding.

fence

providing false or misleading information, etc. 20M. A person who provides the Bank with information in purported compliance with a requirement

or under this Part, knowing the information to be false or misleading, commits an

fence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €1,900. Power

Court to make certain orders. 20N.

(1)If the Bank reasonably believes that the control exercised by a person who has a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking is inconsistent with the prudent and sound management

the undertaking, it may apply to the Court for an order under paragraph

(3).
(2)On making an application under paragraph
(1), the Bank shall serve a copy

the application on the person to whom the application relates. On being served with the notice, that person becomes the respondent to the application.

(3)On the hearing

an application under paragraph

(1), the Court may, on being satisfied that the Bank’s belief is substantiated, make all or any

the following orders: (a) an order directing the respondent to dispose

the holding or a specified part

it; (b) an order suspending the exercise

the voting rights attached to the relevant shares; (c) an order invalidating votes already exercised by holders

those shares.”. Amendment

the European Communities (Life Assurance) Framework Regulations

  1. The European Communities (Life Assurance) Framework Regulations 1994 ( S.I. No. 360

1994 ) are amended as follows: (a) in Article 2

(1), by inserting after the definition

“property linked benefits”— “ ‘qualifying holding’ in an insurance undertaking means, subject to Article 2A, a direct or indirect holding— (a) that represents 10% or more

the capital

, or voting rights in, the undertaking, or (b) that makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management

the undertaking;”; (b) by inserting after Article 2— “Determination

voting rights for certain purposes. 2A.

(1)For the purpose

determining whether a holding in an insurance undertaking— (

  1. a)is a qualifying holding, or (
  2. b)has reached or exceeded or will reach or exceed a prescribed percentage

the capital

or voting rights in the undertaking, the rules regarding the calculation

voting rights in Regulations 9 and 10, paragraphs

(4)and
(5)

Regulation 12 and Regulations 14

(5), 15 to 17 and 21
(6)

the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 277

2007 ) and the conditions regarding aggregation

voting rights in Regulation 18

those Regulations shall be taken into account.

(2)For that purpose, voting rights or shares that an investment firm or credit institution holds as a result

providing the underwriting

financial instruments or placing

financial instruments on a firm commitment basis shall not be taken into account, provided that those rights or shares are not exercised or otherwise used to intervene in the management

the issuer and are disposed

within one year

acquisition.”; (c) in Article 9, by deleting paragraph

(4); (d) by substituting for Part 4 the following: “PART 4 ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL

CERTAIN INTERESTS IN INSURANCE UNDERTAKINGS Interpretation and effect: Part 4. 40.

(1)In this Part— ‘assessment period’, in relation to a proposed acquisition, means the period during which, under Article 40C, the Bank is required to complete the assessment

the acquisition, and includes any extension

that period under paragraph

(7)or
(9)

that Article; ‘credit institution’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 380

2006 ); ‘investment firm’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 380

2006 ); ‘parent undertaking’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations 1992 ( S.I. No. 201

1992 ); ‘prescribed percentage’ means 20%, 33% or 50%; ‘proposed acquirer’ has the meaning given by paragraph

(2); ‘proposed acquisition’ has the meaning given by paragraph
(3); ‘subsidiary’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations 1992; ‘working day’ means a day that is not a Saturday nor a Sunday nor a public holiday within the meaning

the Organisation

Working Time Act 1997 (No. 20

1997).

(2)A reference in this Part to a ‘proposed acquirer’ is a reference to a person who proposes to acquire or increase a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking, and includes a group

persons acting in concert to acquire or increase such a holding.

(3)A reference in this Part to a ‘proposed acquisition’ is a reference to— (a) the proposed acquisition

a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking, or (b) a proposed increase in a qualifying holding in such an undertaking that results in the size

the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage. Restrictions on acquiring and disposing

qualifying holdings in insurance undertakings. 40A.

(1)A proposed acquirer shall not, directly or indirectly, acquire a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(2)A proposed acquirer who has a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking shall not, directly or indirectly, increase the size

the holding without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the increase— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the undertaking that the proposed acquirer holds would reach or exceed a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a proposed acquirer that is a company or other body corporate, the undertaking would become the proposed acquirer’s subsidiary.

(3)A notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)shall include sufficient information to enable the Bank to consider the proposed acquisition concerned against the criteria in paragraphs
(1)and
(2)

Article 40

D, and in particular shall include information on who the proposed acquirers are, the individuals to be responsible for their management, how the proposed acquisition is to be financed (including details

any proposed issue

financial instruments) and the structure

the resulting group.

(4)The information to be provided in a notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)is that required by the form

notification published by the Bank on 25 May 2009 entitled “Acquiring Transaction Notification Form”, and includes any document in relation to the proposed acquisition or proposed acquirer concerned required by that form.

(5)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(6)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

part

a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the disposal— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the undertaking that the person holds would fall to or below a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a person that is a company or other body corporate, the undertaking would cease to be the person’s subsidiary. Insurance undertakings to provide information in relation to certain acquisitions and disposals. 40B.

(1)If an insurance undertaking becomes aware

the acquisition

a qualifying holding in it, or an increase in the size

such a holding that results in the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage, the undertaking shall inform the Bank in writing

the acquisition or increase without delay.

(2)If an insurance undertaking becomes aware

a disposal

, or a reduction in the size

, a holding in it that results in the holding ceasing to be a qualifying holding or falling to or below a prescribed percentage, the undertaking shall inform the Bank in writing

the disposal or reduction without delay. Period for assessment

proposed acquisition. 40C.

(1)Within two working days after receiving a completed notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)

Article 40

A from a proposed acquirer, the Bank shall acknowledge receipt

the notification in writing.

(2)For the purposes

paragraph

(1), a notification is completed if it gives all the information (whether in the notification itself or as an attachment) required by Article 40A to be provided for the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned.

(3)Within 60 working days after the date

the written acknowledgement referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall carry out the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned in accordance with Article 40D.

(4)In its acknowledgement

receipt

a notification referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall inform the proposed acquirer concerned

the date on which the assessment period will end.

(5)During the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition, but no later than the 50th working day

that period, the Bank may, request any further information necessary to complete the assessment

the acquisition. If the Bank makes such a request it shall acknowledge the receipt

any information received in response to the request.

(6)A request under paragraph
(4)shall be made in writing and shall specify or describe the additional information needed.
(7)Subject to paragraph
(9), if the Bank makes a request under paragraph
(5)the assessment period is to be taken to be interrupted for the shorter

— (a) the period between the date

the request and the date

the receipt

a response from the proposed acquirer concerned, and (b) 20 working days.

(8)The Bank may request still further information for completion or clarification

information already supplied but such a further request does not interrupt the assessment period.

(9)The Bank may, by written notice to a proposed acquirer, extend the interruption referred to in paragraph
(7)in relation to a proposed acquisition to 30 working days if the proposed acquirer concerned— (
  1. a)is situated or regulated outside the Community; or (
  2. b)is not subject to supervision under a law

a Member State that transposes Directive 85/611/EEC 1 , 92/49/EEC 2 , 2002/83/EC 3 , 2004/39/EC 4 , 2005/68/EC 5 or 2006/48/EC 6 . Assessment

proposed acquisitions. 40D.

(1)The objective

the assessment

a proposed acquisition is to ensure the sound and prudent management

the insurance undertaking concerned.

(2)In assessing a proposed acquisition, the Bank— (a) shall have regard to the likely influence

the proposed acquirer concerned on the insurance undertaking concerned, and (b) shall appraise the suitability

the proposed acquirer and the financial soundness

the proposed acquisition concerned against all

the following criteria: (i) the reputation

the proposed acquirer; (ii) the reputation and experience

the individuals who will direct the business

the undertaking as a result

the proposed acquisition; (iii) the financial soundness

the proposed acquirer, in particular in relation to the type

business pursued and envisaged in the undertaking; (iv) whether the undertaking will be able to comply and continue to comply with the prudential requirements

existing legislation; (v) whether the group

which it will become a part has a structure that makes it possible to exercise effective supervision, effectively exchange information among the competent authorities and determine the allocation

responsibilities among the competent authorities; (vi) whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that, in connection with the proposed acquisition, money laundering or terrorist financing (within the meaning

Article 1

Directive 2005/60/EC7 ) is being or has been committed or attempted, or that the proposed acquisition could increase the risk

money laundering or terrorist financing.

(3)The Bank shall not examine a proposed acquisition in terms

the economic needs

the market.

(4)Where two or more proposals to acquire or increase qualifying holdings in the same insurance undertaking have been notified to the Bank, the Bank shall treat the proposed acquirers concerned in a non-discriminatory manner. Bank to cooperate with competent authorities

other Member States in certain cases. 40E.

(1)In carrying out its assessment

a proposed acquisition, the Bank shall work in full consultation with the relevant competent authorities

other Member States if the proposed acquirer concerned is— (a) an insurance undertaking, reinsurance undertaking, credit institution, investment firm or UCITS management company, or the market operator

a regulated market, authorised by a competent authority

another Member State, (b) the parent undertaking

such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator, or (c) a person that controls such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator.

(2)In paragraph
(1)(a) ‘UCITS management company’ and ‘market operator

a regulated market’ respectively have the same meanings as in the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 60

2007 ).

(3)In a case to which paragraph
(1)applies, the Bank shall, without undue delay, provide any other competent authority concerned with any information that is essential or relevant for the assessment

a proposed acquisition. The Bank shall communicate to each such other competent authority all relevant information upon request and all essential information on its own initiative.

(4)A decision by the Bank, in the case

a proposed acquisition in an insurance undertaking authorised by the Bank, shall indicate any views or reservations expressed by the competent authority responsible for the proposed acquirer concerned. Bank may fix period for completion

acquisition etc. 40F.

(1)The Bank may fix a maximum period within which a proposed acquisition shall be completed, and may extend any period so fixed.
(2)If the Bank has given notice in relation to a proposed acquisition that the Bank does not oppose the acquisition, the Bank may impose a condition or a requirement or both, being a condition or a requirement that the Bank considers necessary for the proper and orderly regulation and supervision

insurance undertakings, and may at any time revoke or vary any condition or requirement so imposed. Notice

Bank’s decision. 40G.

(1)If on completing the assessment

a proposed acquisition the Bank decides to oppose it, the Bank shall, within two working days, but before the end

the assessment period, so inform the proposed acquirer concerned in writing and give reasons for that decision.

(2)Subject to any other law, the Bank shall publish an appropriate statement

the reasons for the decision if the proposed acquirer concerned so requests. The Bank may in its discretion publish such a statement even without any request by the proposed acquirer.

(3)If the Bank does not give notice in writing within the assessment period in relation to the proposed acquisition that it opposes the acquisition, the acquisition is taken, for the purposes

any other law that requires the acquisition to be approved by the Bank, to have been so approved. Bank may oppose certain acquisitions. 40H. The Bank may oppose a proposed acquisition only if— (a) there are reasonable grounds for doing so on the basis

the criteria in paragraph

(1)or
(2)

Article 40

D, or (b) the information provided by the proposed acquirer in its notification under Article 40A is incomplete, or the proposed acquirer has not provided information in response to a request under paragraph

(5)or
(8)

Article 40C. Decision to oppose proposed acquisition to be appealable.

40I. A decision by the Bank to oppose a proposed acquisition, to impose a condition or requirement on a proposed acquisition, or to vary such a condition or requirement is an appealable decision for the purposes

Part VII

A

the Central Bank Act 1942 (No. 22

1942). Circumstances in which proposed acquisition not to be completed. 40J.

(1)The proposed acquirer in relation to a proposed acquisition may complete the acquisition only if— (a) the proposed acquirer has notified the Bank

the acquisition in accordance with Article 40A, (b) the Bank has acknowledged that notification in accordance with Article 40C

(1), and (
  1. c)either— (
  2. i)the assessment period in relation to the acquisition has ended and the Bank has not notified the proposed acquirer that it opposes the acquisition, or (
  3. ii)the Bank has notified the proposed acquirer that it does not oppose the acquisition.
(2)If a proposed acquirer purports to complete a proposed acquisition in contravention

paragraph

(1)— (a) the purported acquisition is

no effect to pass title to any share or any other interest, and (b) any exercise

powers based on the purported acquisition

the holding concerned is void. Effect

section 201

the Companies Act 1963 . 40K. If a transaction is both a proposed acquisition and a compromise or arrangement for the purposes

sections 201 and 202

the Companies Act 1963 (No. 33

1963), the court shall not make an order under section 201

that Act in relation to the transaction until after the end

the assessment period in relation to the transaction. Insurance undertakings to provide information about shareholdings, etc. 40L. An insurance undertaking shall, at times specified by the Bank and at least once a year, notify the Bank

the names

shareholders or members who have qualifying holdings and the size

each such holding.

fence

providing false or misleading information, etc. 40M. A person who provides the Bank with information in purported compliance with a requirement

or under this Part, knowing the information to be false or misleading, commits an

fence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €1,900. Power

Court to make certain orders. 40N.

(1)If the Bank reasonably believes that the control exercised by a person who has a qualifying holding in an insurance undertaking is inconsistent with the prudent and sound management

the undertaking, it may apply to the Court for an order under paragraph

(3).
(2)On making an application under paragraph
(1), the Bank shall serve a copy

the application on the person to whom the application relates. On being served with the notice, that person becomes the respondent to the application.

(3)On the hearing

an application under paragraph

(1), the Court may, on being satisfied that the Bank’s belief is substantiated, make all or any

the following orders: (a) an order directing the respondent to dispose

the holding or a specified part

it; (b) an order suspending the exercise

the voting rights attached to the relevant shares; (c) an order invalidating votes already exercised by holders

those shares.”. Amendment

the European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations

  1. The European Communities (Reinsurance) Regulations 2006 ( S.I. No. 380

2006 ) are amended as follows: (a) in Regulation 3

(1), by substituting for the definition

“qualifying holding”— “ ‘qualifying holding’ in a reinsurance undertaking or an SPRV means, subject to Regulation 3A, a direct or indirect holding— (a) that represents 10% or more

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the undertaking or SPRV, or (b) that makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management

the undertaking or SPRV;”; (b) by inserting after regulation 3— “Determination

voting rights. 3A.

(1)For the purpose

determining whether a holding in a reinsurance undertaking or an SPRV— (

  1. a)is a qualifying holding, or (
  2. b)has reached or exceeded or will reach or exceed a prescribed percentage

the capital

, or voting rights in, the undertaking or SPRV, the rules regarding the calculation

voting rights in Regulations 9 and 10, paragraphs

(4)and
(5)

Regulation 12 and Regulations 14

(5), 15 to 17 and 21
(6)

the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 277

2007 ) and the conditions regarding aggregation

voting rights in Regulation 18

those Regulations shall be taken into account.

(2)For that purpose, voting rights or shares that an investment firm or credit institution holds as a result

providing the underwriting

financial instruments or placing

financial instruments on a firm commitment basis shall not be taken into account, provided that those rights or shares are not exercised or otherwise used to intervene in the management

the issuer and are disposed

within one year

acquisition.”; (c) by substituting for Part 8 the following: “PART 8 ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL

CERTAIN INTERESTS IN AUTHORISED REINSURANCE UNDERTAKINGS AND SPRVs Interpretation and effect: Part 8. 40.

(1)In this Part— ‘assessment period’, in relation to a proposed acquisition, means the period during which, under Regulation 41, the Bank is required to complete the assessment

the acquisition, and includes any extension

that period under paragraph

(7)or
(9)

that Regulation; ‘parent undertaking’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations 1992 ( S.I. No. 201

1992 ); ‘prescribed percentage’ means 20%, 33% or 50%; ‘proposed acquirer’ has the meaning given by paragraph

(2); ‘proposed acquisition’ has the meaning given by paragraph
(3); ‘subsidiary’ has the same meaning as in the European Communities (Companies: Group Accounts) Regulations 1992; ‘working day’ means a day that is not a Saturday nor a Sunday nor a public holiday within the meaning

the Organisation

Working Time Act 1997 (No. 20

1997).

(2)A reference in this Part to a ‘proposed acquirer’ is a reference to a person who proposes to acquire or increase a qualifying holding in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV, and includes a group

persons acting in concert to acquire or increase such a holding.

(3)A reference in this Part to a ‘proposed acquisition’ is a reference to— (a) the proposed acquisition

a qualifying holding in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV, or (b) a proposed increase in a qualifying holding in such an undertaking or SPRV that results in the size

the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage. Restrictions on acquiring and disposing

qualifying holdings in authorised reinsurance undertakings and SPRVs. 40A.

(1)A proposed acquirer shall not, directly or indirectly, acquire a qualifying holding in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(2)A proposed acquirer who has a qualifying holding in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV shall not, directly or indirectly, increase the size

the holding without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the increase— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the undertaking or SPRV that the proposed acquirer holds would reach or exceed a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a proposed acquirer that is a company or other body corporate, the undertaking or SPRV would become the proposed acquirer’s subsidiary.

(3)A notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)shall include sufficient information to enable the Bank to consider the proposed acquisition concerned against the criteria in paragraph
(1)or
(2)

Regulation 41A, and in particular shall include information on who the proposed acquirers are, the individuals to be responsible for their management, how the proposed acquisition is to be financed (including details

any proposed issue

financial instruments) and the structure

the resulting group.

(4)The information to be provided in a notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)is that required by the form

notification published by the Bank on 25 May 2009 entitled “Acquiring Transaction Notification Form”, and includes any document in relation to the proposed acquisition or proposed acquirer concerned required by that form.

(5)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

a qualifying holding in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(6)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

part

a qualifying holding in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the disposal— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the undertaking or SPRV that the person holds would fall to or below a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a person that is a company or other body corporate, the undertaking or SPRV would cease to be the person’s subsidiary. Reinsurance undertakings and SPRVs to provide information on certain acquisitions and disposals. 40B.

(1)If an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV becomes aware

an acquisition

a qualifying holding in it, or an increase in the size

such a holding that results in the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage, the undertaking or SPRV shall inform the Bank in writing

the acquisition or increase without delay.

(2)If an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV becomes aware

a disposal

, or a reduction in the size

, a holding in it that results in the holding ceasing to be a qualifying holding or falling to or below a prescribed percentage, the undertaking or SPRV shall inform the Bank in writing

the disposal or reduction without delay. Period for assessment

proposed acquisition. 41.

(1)Within two working days after receiving a completed notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)

Regulation 40A from a proposed acquirer, the Bank shall acknowledge receipt

the notification in writing.

(2)For the purposes

paragraph

(1), a notification is completed if it gives all the information (whether in the notification itself or as an attachment) required by Regulation 40A to be provided for the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned.

(3)Within 60 working days after the date

the written acknowledgement referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall carry out the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned in accordance with Regulation 41A.

(4)In its acknowledgement

receipt

a notification referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall inform the proposed acquirer concerned

the date on which the assessment period will end.

(5)During the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition, but no later than the 50th working day

that period, the Bank may request any further information necessary to complete the assessment

the acquisition. If the Bank makes such a request it shall acknowledge the receipt

any information received in response to the request.

(6)A request under paragraph
(5)shall be made in writing and shall specify or describe the additional information needed.
(7)Subject to paragraph
(9), if the Bank makes a request under paragraph
(5)the assessment period is to be taken to be interrupted for the shorter

— (a) the period between the date

the request and the date

the receipt

a response from the proposed acquirer concerned, and (b) 20 working days.

(8)The Bank may request still further information for completion or clarification

information already supplied but such a further request does not interrupt the assessment period.

(9)The Bank may, by written notice to a proposed acquirer, extend the interruption referred to in paragraph
(5)in relation to a proposed acquisition to 30 working days if the proposed acquirer concerned— (
  1. a)is situated or regulated outside the Community; or (
  2. b)is not subject to supervision under a law

a Member State that gives effect to Directive 85/611/EEC 1 , 92/49/EEC 2 , 2002/83/EC 3 , 2004/39/EC 4 , 2005/68/EC 5 or 2006/48/EC 6 . Assessment

proposed acquisitions. 41A.

(1)The objective

the assessment

a proposed acquisition is to ensure the sound and prudent management

the authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV concerned.

(2)In assessing a proposed acquisition, the Bank— (a) shall have regard to the likely influence

the proposed acquirer concerned on the authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV concerned, and (b) shall appraise the suitability

the proposed acquirer and the financial soundness

the proposed acquisition concerned against all

the following criteria: (i) the reputation

the proposed acquirer; (ii) the reputation and experience

the individuals who will direct the business

the undertaking or SPRV as a result

the proposed acquisition; (iii) the financial soundness

the proposed acquirer, in particular in relation to the type

business pursued and envisaged in the undertaking or SPRV in which the acquisition is proposed; (iv) whether the undertaking or SPRV will be able to comply and continue to comply with the prudential requirements

existing legislation; (v) whether the group

which it will become a part has a structure that makes it possible to exercise effective supervision, effectively exchange information among the competent authorities and determine the allocation

responsibilities among the competent authorities; (vi) whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that, in connection with the proposed acquisition, money laundering or terrorist financing (within the meaning

Article 1

Directive 2005/60/EC 7 ) is being or has been committed or attempted, or that the proposed acquisition could increase the risk

money laundering or terrorist financing.

(3)The Bank shall not examine a proposed acquisition in terms

the economic needs

the market.

(4)Where two or more proposals to acquire or increase qualifying holdings in the same authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV have been notified to the Bank, the Bank shall treat the proposed acquirers concerned in a non-discriminatory manner. Bank to cooperate with competent authorities

other Member States in certain cases. 42.

(1)In carrying out its assessment

a proposed acquisition, the Bank shall work in full consultation with the relevant competent authorities

other Member States if the proposed acquirer concerned is— (a) an insurance undertaking, reinsurance undertaking, credit institution, investment firm or UCITS management company, or the market operator

a regulated market, authorised by a competent authority

another Member State, (b) the parent undertaking

such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator, or (c) a person that controls such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator.

(2)In paragraph
(1)(a) ‘UCITS management company’ and ‘market operator

a regulated market’ respectively have the same meanings as in the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 60

2007 ).

(3)In a case to which paragraph
(1)applies, the Bank shall, without undue delay, provide any other competent authority concerned with any information which is essential or relevant for the assessment

a proposed acquisition. The Bank shall communicate to each such other competent authority all relevant information upon request and all essential information on its own initiative.

(4)A decision by the Bank, in the case

a proposed acquisition in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV authorised by the Bank, shall indicate any views or reservations expressed by the competent authority responsible for the proposed acquirer concerned. Bank may fix period for completion

acquisition etc. 42A.

(1)The Bank may fix a maximum period within which a proposed acquisition shall be completed, and may extend any period so fixed.
(2)If the Bank has given notice in relation to a proposed acquisition that the Bank does not oppose the acquisition, the Bank may impose either a condition or a requirement or both, being a condition or requirement that the Bank considers necessary for the proper and orderly regulation and supervision

authorised reinsurance undertakings and SPRVs, and may at any time revoke or vary any condition or requirement so imposed. Notice

Bank’s decision. 43.

(1)If on completing the assessment

a proposed acquisition the Bank decides to oppose it, the Bank shall, within two working days, but before the end

the assessment period, so inform the proposed acquirer concerned in writing and give reasons for that decision.

(2)Subject to any other law, the Bank shall publish an appropriate statement

the reasons for the decision if the proposed acquirer concerned so requests. The Bank may in its discretion publish such a statement even without any request by the proposed acquirer.

(3)If the Bank does not give notice in writing within the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition that it opposes the acquisition, the acquisition is taken, for the purposes

any other law that requires the acquisition to have been approved by the Bank, to have been so approved. Bank may oppose certain acquisitions. 43A. The Bank may oppose a proposed acquisition in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV only if— (a) there are reasonable grounds for doing so on the basis

the criteria in paragraph

(1)or
(2)

Regulation 41A, or (b) the information provided by the proposed acquirer concerned in its notification under Regulation 40A is incomplete, or the proposed acquirer has not provided information in response to a request under paragraph

(5)or
(8)

Regulation

  1. Decision to oppose proposed acquisition to be appealable.
  2. A decision by the Bank to oppose a proposed acquisition, to impose a condition or requirement on a proposed acquisition, or to vary such a condition or requirement is an appealable decision for the purposes

Part VII

A

the Central Bank Act 1942 (No. 22

1942). Circumstances in which proposed acquisition not to be completed. 44A.

(1)The proposed acquirer in relation to a proposed acquisition may complete the acquisition only if— (a) the proposed acquirer has notified the Bank

the acquisition in accordance with Regulation 40A, (b) the Bank has acknowledged that notification in accordance with Regulation 41

(1), and (
  1. c)either— (
  2. i)the assessment period in relation to the acquisition has ended and the Bank has not notified the proposed acquirer that it opposes the acquisition, or (
  3. ii)the Bank has notified the proposed acquirer that it does not oppose the acquisition.
(2)If a proposed acquirer purports to complete a proposed acquisition in contravention

paragraph

(1)— (a) the purported acquisition is

no effect to pass title to any share or any other interest, and (b) any exercise

powers based on the purported acquisition

the holding concerned is void. Effect

section 201

the Companies Act 1963 . 45. If a transaction is both a proposed acquisition and a compromise or arrangement for the purposes

sections 201 and 202

the Companies Act 1963 (No. 33

1963), the court shall not make an order under section 201

that Act in relation to the transaction until after the end

the assessment period in relation to the transaction. Authorised reinsurance undertakings and SPRVs to provide information about shareholdings, etc. 45A. An authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV shall, at times specified by the Bank and at least once a year, notify the Bank

the names

shareholders or members who have qualifying holdings and the size

each such holding. Power

Court to make certain orders. 45B.

(1)If the Bank reasonably believes that the control exercised by a person who has a qualifying holding in an authorised reinsurance undertaking or SPRV is inconsistent with the prudent and sound management

the reinsurance undertaking or SPRV, it may apply to the Court for an order under paragraph

(3).
(2)On making an application under paragraph
(1), the Bank shall serve a copy

the application on the person to whom the application relates. On being served with the notice, that person becomes the respondent to the application.

(3)On the hearing

an application under paragraph

(1), the Court may, on being satisfied that the Bank’s belief is substantiated, make all or any

the following orders: (a) an order directing the respondent to dispose

the holding or a specified part

it; (b) an order suspending the exercise

the voting rights attached to the relevant shares; (c) an order invalidating votes already exercised by holders

those shares.”. Amendment

the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations

  1. The European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 60

2007 ) are amended as follows: (a) in Regulation 3

(1), by substituting for the definition

“qualifying holding”— “ ‘qualifying holding’ in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market means, subject to Regulation 3A, a direct or indirect holding in the investment firm or market operator— (a) that represents 10% or more

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the investment firm or market operator, or (b) that makes it possible to exercise a significant influence over the management

the investment firm or market operator;”; (b) by inserting after regulation 3— “Determination

voting rights for certain purposes. 3A.

(1)For the purpose

determining whether a holding in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market— (

  1. a)is a qualifying holding, or (
  2. b)has reached or exceeded or will reach or exceed a prescribed percentage

the capital

or voting rights in the investment firm or market operator, the rules regarding the calculation

voting rights in Regulations 9 and 10, paragraphs

(4)and
(5)

Regulation 12 and Regulations 14

(5), 15 to 17 and 21
(6)

the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 277

2007 ) and the conditions regarding aggregation

voting rights in Regulation 18

those Regulations shall be taken into account.

(2)For that purpose, voting rights or shares that an investment firm or credit institution holds as a result

providing the underwriting

financial instruments or placing

financial instruments on a firm commitment basis shall not be taken into account, provided that those rights or shares are not exercised or otherwise used to intervene in the management

the issuer and are disposed

within one year

acquisition.”; (c) by substituting for Part 13 the following: “PART 13 ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL

CERTAIN INTERESTS IN INVESTMENT FIRMS AND MARKET OPERATORS

REGULATED MARKETS Interpretation and effect: Part 13. 178.

(1)In this Part— ‘assessment period’, in relation to a proposed acquisition, means the period during which, under Regulation 181, the Bank is required to complete the assessment

the acquisition, and includes any extension

that period under paragraph

(7)or
(9)

that Regulation; ‘prescribed percentage’ means 20%, 33% or 50%; ‘proposed acquirer’ has the meaning given by paragraph

(2); ‘proposed acquisition’ has the meaning given by paragraph
(3); ‘working day’ means a day that is not a Saturday nor a Sunday nor a public holiday within the meaning

the Organisation

Working Time Act 1997 (No. 20

1997).

(2)A reference in this Part to a ‘proposed acquirer’ is a reference to a person who proposes to acquire or increase a qualifying holding in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market, and includes a group

persons acting in concert to acquire or increase such a holding.

(3)A reference in this Part to a ‘proposed acquisition’ is a reference to— (a) the proposed acquisition

a qualifying holding in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market, or (b) a proposed increase in a qualifying holding in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market that results in the size

the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage. Restrictions on acquiring and disposing

qualifying holdings in investment firms and market operators

regulated markets. 179.

(1)A proposed acquirer shall not, directly or indirectly, acquire a qualifying holding in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(2)A proposed acquirer who has a qualifying holding in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market shall not, directly or indirectly, increase the size

the holding without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the increase— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the investment firm or market operator that the proposed acquirer holds would reach or exceed a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a proposed acquirer that is a company or other body corporate, the investment firm or market operator would become the proposed acquirer’s subsidiary.

(3)A notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)shall include sufficient information to enable the Bank to consider the proposed acquisition concerned against the criteria in paragraphs
(1)and
(2)

Regulation 182, and in particular shall include information on who the proposed acquirers are, the individuals to be responsible for their management, how the proposed acquisition is to be financed (including details

any proposed issue

financial instruments) and the structure

the resulting group.

(4)The information to be provided in a notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)is that required by the form

notification published by the Bank on 25 May 2009 entitled “Acquiring Transaction Notification Form”, and includes any document in relation to the proposed acquisition or proposed acquirer concerned required by that form.

(5)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

a qualifying holding in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding.

(6)A person shall not, directly or indirectly, dispose

part

a qualifying holding in an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market without having previously notified the Bank in writing

the intended size

the holding if, as a result

the disposal— (a) the percentage

the capital

, or the voting rights in, the investment firm or market operator that the person holds would fall to or below a prescribed percentage, or (b) in the case

a person that is a company or other body corporate, the investment firm or market operator would cease to be the person’s subsidiary. Investment firms and market operators

regulated markets to provide information on certain acquisitions and disposals. 180.

(1)If an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market becomes aware

an acquisition

a qualifying holding in it, or an increase in the size

such a holding that results in the holding reaching or exceeding a prescribed percentage, the investment firm or market operator shall inform the Bank

the acquisition without delay.

(2)If an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market becomes aware

a disposal

, or a reduction in the size

, a holding in it that results in the holding ceasing to be a qualifying holding or falling to or below a prescribed percentage, the investment firm or market operator shall inform the Bank

the disposal or reduction without delay. Period for assessment

proposed acquisition. 181.

(1)Within two working days after receiving a completed notification under paragraph
(1)or
(2)

Regulation 179 from a proposed acquirer, the Bank shall acknowledge receipt

the notification in writing.

(2)For the purposes

paragraph

(1), a notification is completed if it gives all the information (whether in the notification itself or as an attachment) required by Regulation 179 to be provided for the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned.

(3)Within 60 working days after the date

the written acknowledgement referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall carry out the assessment

the proposed acquisition concerned in accordance with Regulation 182.

(4)In its acknowledgement

receipt

a notification referred to in paragraph

(1), the Bank shall inform the proposed acquirer concerned

the date on which the assessment period will end.

(5)During the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition, but no later than the 50th working day

that period, the Bank may request any further information necessary to complete the assessment

the acquisition. If the Bank makes such a request it shall acknowledge the receipt

any information received in response to the request.

(6)A request under paragraph
(5)shall be made in writing and shall specify or describe the additional information needed.
(7)Subject to paragraph
(9), if the Bank makes a request under paragraph
(5)the assessment period is to be taken to be interrupted for the shorter

— (a) the period between the date

the request and the date

the receipt

a response from the proposed acquirer concerned, and (b) 20 working days.

(8)The Bank may request still further information for completion or clarification

information already supplied but such a further request does not interrupt the assessment period.

(9)The Bank may, by written notice to a proposed acquirer, extend the interruption referred to in paragraph
(7)in relation to a proposed acquisition to 30 working days if the proposed acquirer concerned— (
  1. a)is situated or regulated outside the Community; or (
  2. b)is not subject to supervision under a law

a Member State that gives effect to Directive 85/611/EEC 1 , 92/49/EEC 2 , 2002/83/EC 3 , 2004/39/EC 4 , 2005/68/EC 5 or 2006/48/EC 6 . Assessment

proposed acquisitions. 182.

(1)The objective

the assessment

a proposed acquisition is to ensure the sound and prudent management

the investment firm or market operator

a regulated market concerned.

(2)In assessing a proposed acquisition, the Bank— (a) shall have regard to the likely influence

the proposed acquirer concerned on the investment firm or market operator concerned, and (b) shall appraise the suitability

the proposed acquirer and the financial soundness

the proposed acquisition concerned against all

the following criteria: (i) the reputation

the proposed acquirer; (ii) the reputation and experience

the individuals who will direct the business

the investment firm or market operator as a result

the proposed acquisition; (iii) the financial soundness

the proposed acquirer, in particular in relation to the type

business pursued and envisaged in the investment firm or market operator; (iv) whether the investment firm or market operator will be able to comply and continue to comply with the prudential requirements

existing legislation; (v) whether the group

which it will become a part has a structure that makes it possible to exercise effective supervision, effectively exchange information among the competent authorities and determine the allocation

responsibilities among the competent authorities; (vi) whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that, in connection with the proposed acquisition, money laundering or terrorist financing (within the meaning

Article 1

Directive 2005/60/EC7 ) is being or has been committed or attempted, or that the proposed acquisition could increase the risk

money laundering or terrorist financing.

(3)The Bank shall not examine a proposed acquisition in terms

the economic needs

the market.

(4)Where two or more proposals to acquire or increase qualifying holdings in the same investment firm or market operator

a regulated market have been notified to the Bank, the Bank shall treat the proposed acquirers concerned in a non-discriminatory manner. Bank to cooperate with competent authorities

other Member States in certain cases. 183.

(1)In carrying out its assessment

a proposed acquisition, the Bank shall work in full consultation with the relevant competent authorities

other Member States if the proposed acquirer concerned is— (a) an insurance undertaking, reinsurance undertaking, credit institution, investment firm or UCITS management company, or the market operator

a regulated market, authorised by a competent authority

another Member State, (b) the parent undertaking

such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator, or (c) a person that controls such an undertaking, institution, investment firm, company or market operator.

(2)In a case to which paragraph
(1)applies, the Bank shall, without undue delay, provide any other competent authority concerned with any information that is essential or relevant for the assessment

a proposed acquisition. The Bank shall communicate to each such other competent authority all relevant information upon request and all essential information on its own initiative.

(3)A decision by the Bank, in the case

a proposed acquisition in an investment firm or market operator

a regulated market authorised by the Bank, shall indicate any views or reservations expressed by the competent authority responsible for the proposed acquirer concerned. Bank may fix period for completion

acquisition etc. 184.

(1)The Bank may fix a maximum period within which a proposed acquisition shall be completed, and may extend any period so fixed.
(2)If the Bank has given notice in relation to a proposed acquisition that the Bank does not oppose the acquisition, the Bank may impose either a condition or a requirement or both, being a condition or a requirement that the Bank considers necessary for the proper and orderly regulation and supervision

investment firms or market operators

regulated markets and may at any time revoke or vary any condition or requirement so imposed. Notice

Bank’s decision. 184A.

(1)If on completing the assessment

a proposed acquisition the Bank decides to oppose it, the Bank shall, within two working days, but before the end

the assessment period, so inform the proposed acquirer concerned in writing and give reasons for that decision.

(2)Subject to any other law, the Bank shall publish an appropriate statement

the reasons for the decision if the proposed acquirer concerned so requests. The Bank may in its discretion publish such a statement even without any request by the proposed acquirer.

(3)If the Bank does not give notice in writing within the assessment period in relation to a proposed acquisition that it opposes the acquisition, the acquisition is taken, for the purposes

any law that requires the acquisition to be approved by the Bank, to have been so approved. Bank may oppose certain acquisitions. 185. The Bank may oppose a proposed acquisition only if— (a) there are reasonable grounds for doing so on the basis

the criteria in paragraphs

(1)and
(2)

Regulation 182, or (b) the information provided by the proposed acquirer in its notification under Regulation 179 is incomplete, or the proposed acquirer has not provided information in response to a request under paragraph

(5)or
(8)

Regulation 181. Circumstances in which proposed acquisition not to be completed. 186.

(1)The proposed acquirer in relation to a proposed acquisition may complete the acquisition only if— (a) the proposed acquirer has notified the Bank

the acquisition in accordance with Regulation 179, (b) the Bank has acknowledged that notification in accordance with Regulation 181

(1), and (
  1. c)either— (
  2. i)the assessment period in relation to the acquisition has ended and the Bank has not notified the proposed acquirer that it opposes the acquisition, or (
  3. ii)the Bank has notified the proposed acquirer that it does not oppose the acquisition.
(2)If a proposed acquirer purports to complete a proposed acquisition in contravention

paragraph

(1)— (a) the purported acquisition is

no effect to pass title to any share or any other interest, and (b) any exercise

powers based on the acquisition

the holding concerned is void. Effect

section 201

the Companies Act 1963 . 187. If a transaction is both a proposed acquisition and a compromise or arrangement for the purposes

sections 201 and 202

the Companies Act 1963 (No. 33

1963), the court shall not make an order under section 201

that Act in relation to the transaction until after the end

the assessment period in relation to the transaction. Investment firms and market operators

regulated markets to provide information about shareholdings, etc. 187A. An investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market shall, at times specified by the Bank and at least once a year, notify the Bank

the names

shareholders or members who have qualifying holdings and the size

each such holding.

fence

providing false or misleading information, etc. 187B. A person who provides the Bank with information in purported compliance with a requirement

or under this Part, knowing the information to be false or misleading, commits an

fence. Powers

court in relation to certain persons with qualifying holdings. 187C.

(1)Where the Bank has reason to believe that a person who has a qualifying holding in the shares

, or voting rights attaching to shares in, an investment firm or the market operator

a regulated market is exercising an influence on the direction

the affairs

the investment firm or market operator which is, or is likely to be, detrimental to the prudent and sound management

the investment firm or market operator, it shall, subject to paragraph

(2), notify the person that it so believes and direct the person in writing to take specified measures to bring that influence to an end within a specified period.
(2)Before issuing a direction to a person under paragraph
(1), the Bank shall notify the person

its intention to issue the direction and shall give the person an opportunity to make such representations on the matter as he or she may wish to make within a period specified by the Bank in the notification.

(3)A direction issued under paragraph
(1)is an appealable decision for the purposes

Part VII

A

the Central Bank Act 1942 .

(4)Where the Bank is

the opinion that a direction under paragraph

(1)has not been complied with by the person concerned, or has not been complied with within the specified period

time, the Bank may, without prejudice to any

its other functions, apply to the Court in a summary manner for any one or more

the following: (a) an injunction prohibiting the person concerned from issuing directions to directors or to any manager, secretary,

ficer or staff

, or persons engaged by, the firm or market operator and prohibiting any director, manager, secretary,

ficer or any other person acting on behalf

the investment firm or market operator from seeking directions from, or consulting, the person concerned, or from acting on such directions without the consent

the Bank; (b) an order suspending the exercise by the person concerned

any interest in or voting rights attaching to shares held by that person in the investment firm or market operator; (c) an order requiring the person concerned to dispose

some or all

his shareholding, interests or rights in the investment firm or market operator within a period specified by the Court; (d) such other order as the Court considers appropriate.

(5)Where the Court is satisfied, because

the nature or the circumstances

the case or otherwise in the interests

justice that it is desirable, the whole or any part

proceedings before it under this Regulation may be heard otherwise than in public.”; (

  1. d)by substituting for Regulation 191(
  2. g)the following: “(
  3. g)a decision

the Bank— (i) under Regulation 182 to oppose a proposed acquisition (within the meaning given by Regulation 178

(2)); or (ii) under Regulation 184
(2)to impose a condition or requirement on such an acquisition.”. Consequential amendment

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act

  1. The Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2007 (No. 37

2007) is amended as follows: (a) in subsection 5

(1)by substituting “European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 60

2007 ) (as amended by the European Communities (Assessment

Acquisitions in the Financial Sector) Regulations 2009 ( S.I. No. 206

2009 )) for “European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 60

2007 )”; (b) in paragraph 5

(2)(b) by substituting “187B” for “185
(2)”. GIVEN under my

ficial Seal, 6 June 2009 BRIAN LENIHAN. Minister for finance. EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part

the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.) This Statutory Instrument transposes Directive 2007/44/EC

the European Parliament and

the Council amending Council Directive 92/49/EEC and Directives 2002/83/EC, 2004/39/EC, 2005/68/EC and 2006/48/EC as regards procedural rules and evaluation criteria for the prudential assessment

acquisitions and increase

holdings in the financial sector. This Directive establishes a harmonised legal framework setting out the entire procedure to be applied by competent authorities when assessing acquisitions on prudential grounds in the EU/EEA. The Statutory Instrument amends existing regulations transposing the various sectoral Directives mentioned above and introduces a number

changes to the current acquisition regimes for credit institutions, insurance undertakings, assurance undertakings, reinsurance undertakings, investment firms, market operators

regulated markets and UCITS management companies. The changes include: •the introduction

a clear and transparent notification and decision-making process for competent authorities and firms; •the reduction

the period allowed for the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority

Ireland to carry out the assessment and limits on interruptions to the assessment period where more information or clarification is required; •clarification

the prudential criteria for the supervisory assessment; and •introduction

a defined set

assessment criteria for the proposed acquirer. 1 OJ L 247, 21.9.2007, p. 1–

  1. 2 OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, p. 1–
  2. 3 OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, p. 1–
  3. 4 OJ L 145, 30.4.2004, p. 1–
  4. 5 OJ L 323, 9.12.2005, p. 1–
  5. 6 OJ L 177, 30.6.2006, p. 1–
  6. 7 OJ L 375, 31.12.1985, p.
  7. 8 OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, p.
  8. 9 OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, p.
  9. 10 OJ L 145, 30.4.2004, p.
  10. 11 OJ L 323, 9.12.2005, p.
  11. 12 OJ L 177, 30.6.2006, p.
  12. 13 OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p.
  13. 1 OJ L 375, 31.12.1985, p.
  14. 2 OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, p.
  15. 3 OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, p.
  16. 4 OJ L 145, 30.4.2004, p.
  17. 5 OJ L 323, 9.12.2005, p.
  18. 6 OJ L 177, 30.6.2006, p.
  19. 7 OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p.
  20. 1 OJ L 375, 31.12.1985, p.
  21. 2 OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, p.
  22. 3 OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, p.
  23. 4 OJ L 145, 30.4.2004, p.
  24. 5 OJ L 323, 9.12.2005, p.
  25. 6 OJ L 177, 30.6.2006, p.
  26. 7 OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p.
  27. 1 OJ L 375, 31.12.1985, p.
  28. 2 OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, p.
  29. 3 OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, p.
  30. 4 OJ L 145, 30.4.2004, p.
  31. 5 OJ L 323, 9.12.2005, p.
  32. 6 OJ L 177, 30.6.2006, p.
  33. 7 OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p.
  34. 1 OJ L 375, 31.12.1985, p.
  35. 2 OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, p.
  36. 3 OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, p.
  37. 4 OJ L 145, 30.4.2004, p.
  38. 5 OJ L 323, 9.12.2005, p.
  39. 6 OJ L 177, 30.6.2006, p.
  40. 7 OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p.
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