Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The motivation behind the question is to ask the Minister for observations he might have on the Competition Authority taking on a voluntary group like the Irish League of Credit Unions at a time when there are many areas where there are anti-competitive practices and where there is probably a more urgent role to establish precedent in anti-competitive practices. The fact that a voluntary organisation like the credit union movement would be singled out by the Competition Authority for such action would indicate there is a motivation of which I am not aware and on which perhaps the Minister might be able to throw light.

Would the Department be asked for advice by the Competition Authority at any stage about priorities in anti-competitive practices? I am also conscious that the total budget of the Competition Authority is approximately €5 million and the costs associated with this case will run in excess of €2 million. What will happen the other parts of the work programme of the Competition Authority arising from those figures? If the Minister is concerned about it, what action will he take?

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