Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Reference was made to the attitude of the Competition Authority. As the witnesses will be aware, a new Bill proposes to merge the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency. Down the years there have been differences of opinion between these two bodies. Ironically, the Competition Authority seems to believe that unimpeded pricing or marketing is in the best interests of the consumer, whereas the Consumer Agency takes the view that if the sector becomes too consolidated, the absence of diversity will not be in the long-term interest of consumers. I ask the witnesses to comment on that issue.