Ireland: Real Estate and Construction

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that appropriate assessments of plans or projects affecting special protection areas cannot be validly conducted without pre-established site-specific conservation objectives. This landmark judgment addresses whether conservation objectives are a prerequisite for environmental impact assessments under the Habitats Directive, with significant implications for development consent procedures across the EU.

Amendments have been made to public works contracts with the intent of improving dispute management in public construction projects. Measures are designed to encourage early resolution, allow for appointment of Standing Conciliators to chair Project Boards on major projects, and maintain fast-track arbitration alongside options for more complex cases.

The Government published the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 on 26 June 2026 in advance of commencing the remaining provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024.

The Irish High Court has clarified the extent to which commercial property owners can use force to regain possession of their premises. In a case involving a warehouse sale following loan default and receivership, the court examined whether breaking glass and cutting through steel shutters constituted lawful recovery of property. The decision provides important guidance on the boundaries between legitimate property recovery and unlawful forcible entry.

Amendments have been made to public works contracts with the intent of improving dispute management in public construction projects. Measures are designed to encourage early resolution, allow for appointment of Standing Conciliators to chair Project Boards on major projects, and maintain fast-track arbitration alongside options for more complex cases.

Ireland's life sciences sector is experiencing significant growth, driving demand for specialized real estate and infrastructure. As the country prepares for its EU Presidency in H2 2026, energy policy reforms...

On 23 June 2025, the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, formally introduced his renewed ‘Dilapidations Bill' before the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025, in effect since 20 June 2025, introduces a temporary, nationwide rent control regime in response to ongoing pressures in the Irish housing market.

An important deadline is looming for those operating as "compliance reporting buyers" in the agricultural and food products supply chain.

When a tenant operating at a loss seeks to close their premises despite contractual keep-open obligations, can a landlord successfully obtain an injunction to force continued trading?

The Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 (the “Act”) was enacted at the end of February and the majority of the changes took effect from 1 March 2026.

Last week the Supreme Court published their judgment in the long running landlord and tenant dispute between RGRE Grafton Limited (the “Landlord”) and Bewley’s Café Grafton Street Limited (the “Tenant”) and Bewley’s Limited in relation to the ownership of six 1920s Harry Clarke stained glass works (the “Works”) in Bewley’s café, Grafton Street. The Supreme Court found that the Works were part and parcel of the premises and were therefore the property of the Landlord.