Minister Bruton did not answer the question. He was asked under section 30 (2) of the Competition Act 2002 if he would request the Competition Authority to carry out a 'market study or analysis' of the cement, concrete and aggregates industry. It is within his power to do so.
The Competition Authority is not independent in that it relies on Minister Bruton under sections 39 and 43 of the Competition Act 2002 to fund it in order to carry out its statutory function. Minister Bruton has an obvious conflict of interest in that he is a former employee and current shareholder in CRH. It is no wonder he refuses to initiate an investigation. This is political capture at its worst.
Minister Bruton is also responsible for appointing Gerald FitzGerald as a member of the Competition Authority. Gerald FitzGerald is a former partner of McCann FitzGerald, the firm responsible for defending Readymix plc in cases of Competition Law infringements. How can someone be charged with regulating an industry when he comes from that industry himself?
Enhanced competition is better than any job scheme the Government can offer. Anti-competitive practices are costing the Irish economy billions of euros each year but yet Minister Bruton continues to protect the industry from which he came from!
Irish Small Business Alliance
Posted on 25 Feb 2012 5:03 pm
Minister Bruton did not answer the question. He was asked under section 30 (2) of the Competition Act 2002 if he would request the Competition Authority to carry out a 'market study or analysis' of the cement, concrete and aggregates industry. It is within his power to do so.
The Competition Authority is not independent in that it relies on Minister Bruton under sections 39 and 43 of the Competition Act 2002 to fund it in order to carry out its statutory function. Minister Bruton has an obvious conflict of interest in that he is a former employee and current shareholder in CRH. It is no wonder he refuses to initiate an investigation. This is political capture at its worst.
Minister Bruton is also responsible for appointing Gerald FitzGerald as a member of the Competition Authority. Gerald FitzGerald is a former partner of McCann FitzGerald, the firm responsible for defending Readymix plc in cases of Competition Law infringements. How can someone be charged with regulating an industry when he comes from that industry himself?
Enhanced competition is better than any job scheme the Government can offer. Anti-competitive practices are costing the Irish economy billions of euros each year but yet Minister Bruton continues to protect the industry from which he came from!