Ms Isolde Goggin:

On the issue of proficiency in languages, we are quite a diverse group as matters stand. I believe there are people of 12 different nationalities working in the organisation so we have been able to co-operate with our colleagues across Europe. There is a European competition network, which comprises representatives from all the member states, as well as the European Commission. We have legal cover to exchange information and provide mutual assistance to one another, so the network works quite well.

The IT side is always an issue. Data science and big data is the current trend, but those with proficiency in that area are few and far between as well as expensive to recruit. We have been quite happy with how we have been able to use our staff internally to date. We head up a digital investigations network which comprises the CCPC and members of other investigative agencies across the State that do similar work. We talk to each other often and try to resolve problems that we have. We also participate in networks with other competition agencies across Europe. We try to pick people's brains as best we can and get a lot of bang for our buck.

The Deputy's question on the RICO legislation is most interesting. I will ask Mr. McHugh to respond to that. The issue of what is referred to as parental liability has been much discussed throughout Europe. It means that in a case where a company that has committed an offence goes out of business or ceases to exist, the parent company, up to where the final decisions were actually made, can be pursued. There are some good provisions in EU law which allow us to co-operate with each other and pursue cases across national boundaries.