Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has received the report from the Competition Authority on the level of competition for the sale of tickets for concerts and other events; if his attention has been drawn to public concerns at the dominance of the market in concert and theatre ticket sales by a small number of companies whose charges seem to have no economic justification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12099/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the level of public concern at the market share held by certain companies engaged in the sale of concert and theatre tickets and of the allegations that the companies may be abusing their position within this market.

I understand that the Competition Authority, which is the independent expert body charged with the enforcement of competition law in the State, namely the Competition Act 2002, has received a number of formal complaints in this regard. The authority is currently conducting an investigation into the market to ascertain whether a breach of the 2002 Act has taken place. If, having completed its investigation, the authority believes there is evidence of a breach of the law, it will pursue the matter through the courts as provided in the 2002 Act.

The authority has a policy of not commenting on investigations and accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the investigation either.