Corporate Enforcement Authority - Ireland

Compliance

One of the important functions of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is to encourage compliance with the requirements of the Companies Acts. The Director and his staff discharge this role by communicating publicly the benefits of compliance with the law and the consequences of non-compliance.The strategies employed include:

• public presentations on, for example, the ODCE, its powers and functions;
• the publication of information, via the printed and electronic media, on the legal duties and powers which exist under Irish company law;
• consultations with professional bodies and interests to secure the conformity of their members with the requirements of the law;
• discussions with Government and other parties as required to facilitate and support the compliance role of the Director.

Enforcement
The investigative and enforcement function of the Director is quite extensive.  His main legal powers arise in the following areas: 

• the initiation of fact-finding company investigations;
• the prosecution of persons for suspected breaches of the Companies Acts;
• the supervision of companies in official and voluntary liquidation and of unliquidated insolvent companies;
• the restriction and disqualification of directors and other company officers;
• the supervision of liquidators and receivers and
• the regulation of undischarged bankrupts acting as company officers.