Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

It is important that this Bill be passed by the Oireachtas without undue delay so as to allow the Minister appoint members to the Competition Authority in sufficient time to address a reduction in membership levels below the statutory minimum requirement. I know the Minister is concerned that an improperly constituted authority would be unable to fulfil its statutory obligations and that any decision made would be open to legal challenge.

The Bill has a very specific purpose, as has been outlined. As indicated by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, on Committee Stage and again today, the Minister for Social Protection intends to bring a new and comprehensive consumer and competition Bill to Government for publication in the autumn. The issues raised by Deputies Varadkar, Penrose and Morgan in the course of the debate of this Bill will be considered in that context. That Bill will, among other issues, cater for the merging of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority and so, the amendments proposed again today are, perhaps, premature in that context.

Following publication of that Bill, Members will have the opportunity to make their views known and consideration will be given to such views at that stage.

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