Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 6 July 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

General Scheme of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Discussion

Mr. Brian McHugh:

I will address UTPs but we have had convictions for cartels. When we have the evidence, we will take action. We will take action against anyone in any industry where that evidence is. It is important to note that in the beef industry development, we took action in this sector around beef processing, which resulted in the fining of activities that were prohibited under competition law. There is currently a case before the courts in terms cartels as a result of a file that we sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. We found cartels in home heating oil. We are the first country in Europe to have a criminal conviction for cartels. Again, we are here to investigate, fine and put an end to cartels. Again, I would encourage anyone with any evidence to come and engage with us, because we will engage with them. Where there is evidence, we will take action.

I will let Mr. Murphy answer the question on UTPs.