Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the Competition Authority is adequately funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37866/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since the enactment of the Competition Act 2002, the resources of the Competition Authority have virtually doubled. Earlier this year the authority set up a second mergers division following the Government agreeing to increase its 2005 budget by €500,000. The Government has since committed to increasing the authority's resources further in 2006 and funding has been secured for the doubling of its cartels' resources from seven officers to 14 officers. The cartels division is responsible for investigating serious anti-competitive practices prohibited by the Competition Act.