Immigration reform will attract talent - Declan Groarke writes for the Law Society

Does a business restructure or TUPE transfer have any immigration or employment permit implications? The answer is yes: where a restructure involves a TUPE transfer, liability for employing foreign nationals without valid immigration permission will transfer to the new employer, and both parties will need to address their post-transfer notification obligations under the Employment Permits Act 2024.

It may come to light that an employee who once had the right to work in Ireland may no longer have such permission. For example, they may have forgotten to apply for a renewal of their immigration permission before it expired or they may not be able to provide evidence of their immigration status during a repeat right to work check. These scenarios may produce a heart-in-mouth moment for a manager or HR.

As 2026 begins, Ireland’s immigration system is entering a period of significant recalibration, with new remuneration thresholds for employment permits, tougher family reunification rules, evolving citizenship requirements, and a continued pivot to digital systems and compliance-first operations. These domestic shifts sit within a broader context of global tightening, technology‑led controls, and processing pressures that will shape strategy for employers.

In a recent announcement, Ireland’s media regulator Coimisiún na Meán announced a programme of new all-island and cross border media projects and initiatives worth €14 million under a Shared Island Media Fund. The programme encourages cross-border collaboration projects across film, TV, radio, and journalism with a view to showcasing the island’s vast media talent and diverse heritage. The funding was provided by the Department of the Taoiseach under the government’s Shared Island initiative which aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement.