Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in merging the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11298/10]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding legislation to provide for the amalgamation of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority; the timeline for the publication of this legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11377/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 70 together.

The amalgamation of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority was included in the Budget day announcement in October 2008 on the rationalisation of State agencies. As both the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority were established under statute, it is necessary to give effect to the newly merged body by way of primary legislation. Since the date of the announcement my Department has being working, in conjunction with both bodies and the Department of Finance to bring about a smooth transition to a unified single body to oversee the area of competition and consumer protection.

Work on the Heads of a Bill to provide for, inter alia, the merger of these two bodies is at an advanced stage. I hope to bring draft Heads to Government within the coming weeks and to publish the Bill during the course of the year. In addition to providing for the establishment of the merged body, the legislation will also take account of the review of the 2002 Competition Act and the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers as well as providing for a statutory Code of Practice in the grocery goods sector.