Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

In October 1994 the then Minister for Enterprise and Employment requested the Competition Authority to undertake a study into competition in the Irish newspaper industry. On 30 March 1995, the Competition Authority reported its findings to the then Minister. One of the conclusions and recommendations of the Competition Authority was to the effect that the acquisition by Independent Newspapers plc of a 24.9% interest in Irish Press Newspapers Limited and Irish Press Publishing Limited and the provision by Independent Newspapers plc of loans totalling IR£2 million to Irish Press represented an abuse of a dominant position by Independent Newspapers plc contrary to section 5 of the Competition Act 1991 and also an anti-competitive agreement under section 4 of the Act. However, it is important from the point of view of legal precision to point out that a study of this type does not lead to a ruling of the sort mentioned in the question. The Irish Press newspapers ceased publishing in May 1995, two months after publication of the report, and no action was taken on foot of the authority's recommendation. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the Minister arising out of a statement made by my predecessor in 1996 concerning the Irish Press titles. Those proceedings remain extant and in these circumstances I consider it inappropriate to comment in more detail in regard to this matter.

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