Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was some time ago. The programme outlined a proposal to exempt certain categories. However, the troika then came and one of the challenges it undertook was that Ireland needed to be more vigilant about competition law and not add further exemptions to our competition law framework. Part of the agreement with the troika is to ensure no further exemptions to the competition law framework are granted unless they are entirely consistent with the goals of the EU-IMF programme and the needs of the economy. No such exemptions have been granted. I agree with this approach, which the Department and I continue to take. Our priority is to ensure a good competitive environment.

Deputy Calleary asked whether the State was abusing its dominant position. I do not accept this. The State is not a monopoly power seeking to exploit for competitive gain. The State represents the public interest and seeks to work out an agreement. The State enters into consultation and discussion, but ultimately it is the State which fixes the fees. This is the line which has been drawn by competition law, which I think is correct. There will be arguments to and fro, but the existing legislation draws the line in the correct place and we should stick with it.

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