Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Tacaím leis an méid atá ráite ag mo chomhleacaí, an Seanadóir Barrett. The aim of the amendment is to give the Bill more teeth. Best practice across Europe places responsibility on a government to respond to a report by the relevant competition authority within a specified timescale. In Italy, for example, the relevant competition authority has the ability to table legislation for consideration. In this State there is no obligation to consider, let alone act, on the recommendations of the Competition Authority.

If the Government is serious with regard to dealing with corrupt practices, it should include the clause on the obligation to respond to recommendations of the authority, one which must outline the Government's proposed actions with regard to each recommendation. We see no reason this gaping hole in the legislation cannot be amended. If there is a form of collusion between a State apparatus and a private sector operator in any area, it must be tackled and the Competition Authority must be given the powers needed.