LexBlog (Blogs)
564 results for LexBlog (Blogs)
- LexBlog Ireland LexBlog, 2019
-
Food-related complaints increase in Ireland in 2023
The number of hygiene and safety complaints received by the Irish food agency in 2023 was higher than previous years, according to statistics recently released. A total of 7,732 complaints and queries were handled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) Advice Line in 2023. There were 4,395 complaints from consumers, with more than...
-
Irish agency highlights shellfish norovirus risk
An agency in Ireland has published a notice to try to reduce the incidence of contaminated oysters in the market and minimize norovirus-related illnesses. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) Food Safety Information Notice covers strategies to manage norovirus risks in oysters. It coincides with the SFPA and Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) annual food...
-
Privacy World Week in Review
In case you missed it, below are recent posts from Privacy World covering the latest developments on data privacy, security and innovation. Please reach out to the authors if you are interested in additional information. In Narrow Vote California Moves Next Generation Privacy Regs Forward | Privacy World EDPB Versus Ireland? Does the Opinion on...
-
EDPB Versus Ireland? Does the Opinion on “Main Establishments” Mean the End of the GDPR “One-stop Shop” Mechanism?
On February 13, 2024, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) released its opinion on the notion of the main establishment of a controller in the EU under article 4(16)(a) GDPR and the criteria for the application of the “one-stop shop” mechanism, in particular, regarding the notion of a controller’s “place of central administration” (PoCA) in...
-
Irish research shows high confidence in the safety of food
Industry and consumer research by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has revealed strong confidence in food safety measures. Consumers believe that food safety in the country has improved in the past five years, with some 9 in 10 people saying food in Ireland is safe. Surveys were undertaken with nationally representative samples of...
-
Dublin and London
The D&O Diary was on assignment in Europe last week, with first stops in Dublin and London. Late January may not seem like the ideal time to visit Ireland and England. Though the weather was chilly and darkness gathered early in the afternoon, it turned out not to be a bad time to visit after...
-
The DUP and The Deal: Power-Sharing Returns to N Ireland
Our December blog, examined the optimism at the end of last year that a way could be found out of the political deadlock that has paralysed the Northern Ireland Assembly for the last two years. As our blog noted, although those hopes did not materialize, the fact that the discussions had reached such an advanced...
-
FSAI assesses official controls in the dairy sector
An assessment of controls at companies in the dairy sector in Ireland has found the system works well overall but there are several areas that need improvement. The audit covered official controls by a Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) division in the dairy production chain. Eleven businesses were audited between August and...
-
Most major pathogens see an increase in Ireland
The number of E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria infections have gone up in Ireland, according to 2022 data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). During the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting rates for giardiasis, listeriosis, norovirus, rotavirus, salmonellosis, shigellosis, and toxoplasmosis in Ireland decreased compared to pre-pandemic levels. Still, rates for...
-
FSAI airs frustration at food safety law breaches
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has voiced frustration at what it called “repeated, similar and fundamental” breaches of food law. 92 enforcement orders were served on businesses for violating food safety legislation in 2023, up from the 77 reported in 2022. FSAI expressed disappointment at the increase and urged businesses to train staff...
-
Food prices a Christmas concern in Ireland
Almost two-thirds of households in Northern Ireland said the rising cost of food was their biggest concern ahead of Christmas, according to a survey. Research was commissioned by safefood as part of its annual Christmas food safety campaign. The group, which promotes food safety and nutrition in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, encouraged home cooks...
-
FSA survey finds most consumer views stable
Many consumer behaviors have remained the same, but concern about food prices has risen, according to an analysis of a multi-year survey. The report has findings from respondents in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from six surveys between 2020 and 2023. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) uses the survey done twice a year to monitor consumers’...
-
Brexit and N Ireland
Over the last few weeks, hopes have been rising that a way could be found out of the political deadlock that has paralysed the N Ireland Assembly over the last two years. Those hopes were cruelly dashed on 18 December, but the fact that the discussions had reached such an advanced stage gives hope that...
-
Survey reveals concerns of small firms in Ireland
According to a survey, almost two-thirds of firms are highly concerned about the impact of a poor food safety audit or enforcement on their business. Research found that just under half of food companies claim that food safety and compliance with regulations are their top priorities. While nearly three-quarters of food business owners and managers...
-
FSA research reveals the scale of risky food safety behaviors
A project commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has revealed multiple examples of risky food safety practices in kitchens. Having insights into these behaviors and the factors that influence them will inform policy decision-making, guidance, and risk assessment work, said FSA. Kitchen Life 2 used cameras to see food safety behaviors in 70 households and...
-
Irish seafood agency reveals critical incidents and controls in 2022
The Irish agency responsible for seafood controls has revealed alleged illness from shellfish and detection of pathogens in products in its 2022 annual report. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is tasked with ensuring seafood safety for consumers up to retail and verifying seafood trade. 2022 was described as a challenging year for Ireland’s seafood sector...
-
Feedback prompts FSA to re-think the food hygiene approach
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has dropped some proposed plans as part of updating food hygiene controls following a consultation. Several stakeholders raised concerns about a new scoring system and frequencies of planned official controls. They would have applied in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. FSA said the plans will not be progressed as costs...
-
Irish DPA to Ban Meta from Processing Personal Data for Behavioral Advertising Following EDPB Urgent Binding Decision
On October 27, 2023, the European Data Protection Board adopted an urgent binding decision instructing the Irish Data Protection Commissioner to take final measures against Meta Ireland Limited within two weeks and impose a ban on Meta’s processing of personal data for behavioral advertising based on the contractual necessity and legitimate interests legal bases.
-
Short take: When Terrorism Goes Mainstream
Over and over, I think of the words of Lyrissa Lidsky. Nevertheless, I know that in the war of generations, the younger always wins. I just wonder what victory looks like. The answer is beginning to emerge. And the streets tell the story as well. From London to Ireland, Germany to Italy, Scotland to France,...
-
Study reveals E. coli-related HUS rise in Ireland
According to researchers, the rate of severe complications after E. coli infection has remained mainly stable over several years but increased in Ireland. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare but severe complication associated with E. coli infections that causes kidney failure. Previous figures showed no notable changes in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. In...
-
Rise in travel-related Cryptosporidium cases prompts warning
Irish health officials have issued a warning after recording a rise in cryptosporidium infections in people returning from abroad. The Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland said increased levels of cryptosporidiosis have been reported from areas of Spain, including Salou in Catalonia, in the past month. A parasite causes the infection, and symptoms include diarrhea and...
-
Claims for holiday pay – Supreme Court holds worker can claim for historic underpayments which are part of a series of deductions
The Supreme Court has given its judgment in the case of Chief Constable of Northern Ireland v Agnew and ors and dismissed the appeal, holding that the workers could claim back for a whole series of unlawful deductions even where there was a gap of more than three months between those deductions. In this case,...
-
Food recalls down but incidents up for Ireland in 2022
The number of recalls declined in 2022, but there was a rise in food incidents, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)’s annual report. In 2022, 77 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses by the FSAI and through other agencies. This included 65 closure orders, 12 prohibition orders, and six prosecutions. Although...
-
Irish agency reveals seafood safety cases
The agency responsible for seafood safety in the Republic of Ireland has recorded 18 potential breaches of food safety law in the first half of 2023. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is responsible for enforcement of food law in the seafood sector up to the point of retail. Eight enforcements notices were served against businesses during...
-
Sampling projects find adulteration and allergen issues
Two sampling projects have found issues with meat substitution and undeclared allergens despite an overall high level of compliance. Findings come from targeted surveillance sampling of products in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for the Food Standards Agency (FSA). In 2020, the program focused on commodities and hazards where intelligence suggested that the impact of...
-
Joint trade association statement on the Commission’s proposed active account requirement under EMIR 3.0
On 7 September 2023, a joint trade association comprising of the EFAMA, BFPI Ireland, EACB, FIA EPTA, Federation of the Dutch Pension Funds, Finance Denmark, Nordic Securities Association, AIMA, ICI Global, FIA and ISDA published a statement on the European Commission’s (the Commission) proposed active account requirement (AAR) under EMIR 3.0. This proposal would require...
-
CA District Court: Insurance Policy Covering Securities Claims May Extend to SOX Whistleblower Claims
A recent California district court addressed the question of whether, for insurance coverage purposes, a SOX whistleblower claim is a “securities claim,” and answered that question in the affirmative. Skye Bioscience v. PartnerRe Ireland Insurance DAC, No. 23-cv-01218. Section 1514A of SOX provides a cause of action for employees who face alleged retaliation because of...
-
FSA survey shows backing for mandatory food hygiene display
Most companies in England would support mandatory food hygiene rating display, according to research by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Outlets are given a rating from 0 to 5, with 5 indicating “very good” food hygiene and 0 meaning “urgent improvement necessary.” In Wales and Northern Ireland, businesses are legally required to display their Food Hygiene...
-
Coimisiún na Meán publishes notice of the designation of video-sharing platform services under the OSMR
Following the consultation, the Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) has today, 14 August 2023, published notice of the designation of video-sharing platform services (VSPSs) as a category of relevant online services the providers of which are under the jurisdiction of Ireland. This designation becomes effective on 11 September 2023. CnaM must designate VSPSs as a category...
-
Tax Avoidance Through Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
In a new paper, we examine the extent to which cross-border M&A is influenced by tax avoidance motives and quantify the resulting tax savings. Firms employ tax avoidance strategies like profit shifting or the relocation of their tax residence to minimize their global tax bill. For example, let’s say a firm has operations in a...