Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his presentation. Under subhead C8, an extra €350,000 has been allocated to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC. For what specific purpose is that allocation? My understanding - I could be wrong - is that an EU directive to tackle unfair trading practices has been agreed and a competent authority in Ireland will be needed to enforce it. Is it the plan of the Government to make the CCPC the competent authority for that directive? Does the Minister of State accept that that would severely constrain the CCPC in its current work as it would burden it with substantially more responsibility and possibly create a conflict of interest between consumers and farmers? What is the current situation in that regard? Has it been discussed with the CCPC? What is its position on the matter?