Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 8 May 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection

Managing Back to School Costs: Discussion

2:10 pm

Mr. Fergus Finlay:

I do not have much to add. In response to the question raised by Deputy Ó Ríordáin, and particular having listened to what Deputy Butler had to say, if it were the view of this committee that a body such as the Competition Authority, among others, should be asked to look at the issue of school books and school uniforms, I suspect one would start seeing action quickly. There are cartels in operation in these areas that are keeping prices artificially high.