1 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2001 Registration No. 333-__________ ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 SMARTFORCE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) REPUBLIC OF IRELAND N.A. (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER) INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) 900 CHESAPEAKE DRIVE REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94063 (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) 1996 SUPPLEMENTAL STOCK PLAN GREGORY M. PRIEST CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SMARTFORCE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY 900 CHESAPEAKE DRIVE REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA 94063 (650) 817-5900 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) Copy to: STEVEN V. BERNARD WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION 650 PAGE MILL ROAD PALO ALTO, CA 94304-1050 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE ========================================= ========================= ====================== ====================== ================== PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TITLE OF SECURITIES AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE OFFERING REGISTRATION TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER SHARE (1) PRICE (1) FEE (1) ----------------------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------ Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of options under the 1996 Supplemental Stock Plan............... 3,500,000 $19.63 $68,705,000 $17,176.25 ========================================= ========================= ====================== ====================== ================== TOTAL......................... 3,500,000 $19.63 $68,705,000 $17,176.25 ========================================= ========================= ====================== ====================== ================== (1) Computed pursuant to Rule 457(h) solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee based on the closing price of the Registrant's American Depository Shares on the Nasdaq National Market on April 3, 2001. 2 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The registrant hereby incorporates by reference in this Registration Statement the contents of the registrant's earlier Registration Statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-46640, 333-32380, 333-86861, 333-83927, 333-68499, 333-57031, 333-35745, 333-25245, 333-06409, 333-504, and 33-94300). EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Document -------------- -------- 5.1 Opinion of Binchys, Solicitors with respect to the securities being registered. 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young. 23.2 Consent of Binchys, Solicitors (contained in Exhibit 5.1). 24.1 Power of Attorney (see Signatures). 2 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Redwood City, State of California, on this April 5, 2001. SMARTFORCE PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY By: /s/ GREGORY M. PRIEST ------------------------------- Gregory M. Priest Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gregory M. Priest and David C. Drummond, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated: SIGNATURE TITLE DATE --------- ----- ---- /s/ GREGORY M. PRIEST Chairman of the Board, President, Chief April 5, 2001 ---------------------------------- Executive Officer (Principal Executive Gregory M. Priest Officer) /s/ DAVID C. DRUMMOND Executive Vice President, Finance and April 5, 2001 ---------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer (Principal David C. Drummond Financial and Accounting Officer), Director /s/ RONALD C. CONWAY Director April 5, 2001 ---------------------------------- Ronald C. Conway /s/ JOHN M. GRILLOS Director April 5, 2001 ---------------------------------- John M. Grillos /s/ PATRICK J. MCDONAGH Director April 5, 2001 ---------------------------------- Patrick J. McDonagh /s/ JAMES S. KRZYWICKI Director April 5, 2001 ---------------------------------- James S. Krzywicki 3