Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress on the competition agenda he expects to be made following the appointment of Mr. William J Prasifka as chairperson of the Competition Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4062/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I look forward to Mr. Prasifka taking up the position of chairperson of the Competition Authority next month. The Government sees competition as the life-blood of a vibrant economy and we are committed to removing unwarranted constraints on competition in all sectors of the economy and placing the consumer at the top of the policy agenda. I will work closely with the new chairperson, as I did with his predecessor, to ensure that the authority effectively performs its role in enforcing and promoting competition law for the benefit of consumers.

With regard to enforcement, I recently secured funding for the purpose of doubling the resources of the authority's cartels division and the authority will commence a recruitment campaign for this purpose very shortly.