Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I join other Senators in calling for a debate on the Competition Authority. The fact that a programme such as "Prime Time" can, through investigative journalism, secure documents which show collusion on anti-competitive practices and the Competition Authority, which has statutory powers, is unable to do so raises serious questions about the body. This relates not just to the motor industry but also to other areas such as the legal and medical professions. There are many areas where the Competition Authority appears to be ineffective. That is the issue which should be examined.