Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 35: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of recommendations made to Government by the Competition Authority since 2002 to date in 2008; the number of recommendations that were enacted in full by Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16754/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In addition to its law enforcement and merger regulation functions under the Competition Act 2002, the Competition Authority has a duty to promote competition. One way in which the Authority fulfils this statutory duty is by studying how competition operates in the economy and making recommendations as it considers appropriate.

In reports by the Competition Authority between 2002 and 2008, relating to formal studies undertaken, the Authority has made 54 recommendations to specific Government Ministers/Departments. Of these:

7 recommendations have been implemented,

14 recommendations are being progressed,

5 recommendations do not require action at this time (because they are contingent on particular circumstances which have not arisen), and

28 other recommendations are outstanding/under consideration.

The Authority keeps progress on the implementation of its recommendations under review and as part of this process it engages with those bodies to whom the recommendations are directed with a view to their future implementation. I would advise the Deputy that not all Authority recommendations are directed to Government or to specific Ministers. Many of the recommendations are directed to Statutory Regulators or to non-Governmental bodies and have been implemented.