The Role of the CEA

The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) was established in July 2022 under the Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Act 2021, with its primary mandate stemming from the Companies Act 2014. The CEA also has responsibilities under the Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Act 2015 and acts as the authority for sanctioning company directors under the Companies (Statutory Audits) Act 2018.

The CEA’s functions include the:

• encouragement of compliance with the Companies Acts;
• investigation of instances of suspected offences under the Companies Acts;
• enforcement of the Companies Acts, including the prosecution of offences by way of summary proceedings;
• referral of cases, as appropriate, to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration as to whether they should be prosecuted on indictment; and
• exercise, insofar as considered necessary or appropriate, of a supervisory role over the activity of liquidators and receivers in the discharge of their functions under the Companies Acts.
  

The Role of the CEA

The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) was established in July 2022 under the Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Act 2021, with its primary mandate stemming from the Companies Act 2014. The CEA also has responsibilities under the Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Act 2015 and acts as the authority for sanctioning company directors under the Companies (Statutory Audits) Act 2018.

The CEA’s functions include the:

• encouragement of compliance with the Companies Acts;
• investigation of instances of suspected offences under the Companies Acts;
• enforcement of the Companies Acts, including the prosecution of offences by way of summary proceedings;
• referral of cases, as appropriate, to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration as to whether they should be prosecuted on indictment; and
• exercise, insofar as considered necessary or appropriate, of a supervisory role over the activity of liquidators and receivers in the discharge of their functions under the Companies Acts.
  

 “To promote and serve the public interest by ensuring high levels of compliance with company law through effective advocacy and proportionate, robust, and dissuasive enforcement”.

“An enforcement agency, trusted by the public and highly regarded by its stakeholders and counterparts, whose work contributes to public protection and to Ireland being regarded as a safe and well-regulated economy in which to invest and create employment”.

The CEA has dedicated its strategy over the period 2022-2025 to ensuring that a solid foundation is laid down upon which the agency can discharge its statutory mandate in an effective manner.  The CEA will shortly publish a new strategy covering the period 2026-2028. Further information regarding the CEA, its strategy, functions, and activities is available at https://cea.gov.ie/ and on its social media channels on LinkedIn and X.