The Companies Bill 2012 has completed the report stage of Dáil Éireann and has begun its passage through the Seanad. We understand that the Department estimates that approximately 600 amendments will have been made to the Bill as originally published by the time it is enacted. While most of the amendments are of a technical nature, others are more substantive and indeed lobbying continues to be carried out for more fundamental changes in certain areas. It is envisaged that the Bill will have been passed by both the Seanad and the Dáil by Autumn 2014. When the Bill will become law is another question. Depending on the commentator reporting, commencement could be anywhere from three months to nine months after it is signed into law. So for the moment, it is a case of….watch this space!

Contributed by Barbara Kenny.