Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the formal co-operation agreement with regulators (details supplied) pursuant to Section 34 of the Competition Act, 2002. [39738/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Competition Authority is an independent statutory agency responsible for the enforcement of competition law across all sectors of the economy. I have no direct responsibility for the day to day work of the Authority. Its mandate and functions are contained in the Competition Act, 2002, as amended.

Section 34 of the Act provides for co-operation agreements between the Authority and other regulatory bodies. The Authority has concluded such agreements with the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs, the Health Insurance Authority, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Energy, Aviation and Communications Regulators. I am not a party to these agreements nor have I any function in relation to the making of any such agreements, other than to amend the list of bodies with whom the Authority shall enter into agreement. Section 34 (5) does provide that within 6 months after the commencement of an agreement the Minister and relevant Ministers be furnished with a copy of the agreement. All six co-operation agreements are published free of charge on the Authority's website (www.tca.ie). Additionally, they may be obtained for a fee from the Competition Authority in accordance with Section 34(7) of the Act.