Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the commitment in the Revised Programme for Government to act on recommendations contained in reports of the Competition Authority applies to all Government Departments and agencies from 10 October 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44592/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The commitment to publish a whole of Government response to recommendations contained in Competition Authority reports is set out in the Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal document, Building Ireland's Smart Economy, published in December 2008 and reaffirmed in the October 2009 Review of the Programme for Government, Renewed Programme for Government.

These reports by the Competition Authority result from studies the Authority carries out as part of its function to promote competition in the economy, on sectors where competition may be absent, limited or restricted. The Authority addresses its recommendations to any Government Department or body with responsibility for the sector as appropriate.

Following on from the commitment made in December 2008, a prioritised list of existing Competition Authority recommendations, based on their impact on competitiveness, was drawn up by my Department. Recommendations contained in the National Competitiveness Council's Annual Competitiveness Report and various OECD reports also informed the selection of recommendations for inclusion in this prioritised list.

I have received the views of the relevant Government Ministers on how these recommendations, insofar as they relate to their Departments, can be progressed and I intend to bring an update to Government shortly on the progress achieved to date.

A whole of Government response to any recommendations contained in future reports drawn up by the Competition Authority will be published within nine months in line with the original commitment in the Smart Economy document.