Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if evidence of price fixing exists throughout the beef sector in view of the lower prices now being received by producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27749/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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174. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received suggestions of price fixing in the beef industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27751/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 174 together.

I am not aware of any evidence of price fixing in the beef industry. The Competition Authority is an independent statutory body that enforces Irish and European competition law in Ireland. Its mission is ‘to ensure that markets work well for Irish consumers, business and the economy’. It does this by taking action against anti-competitive practices (e.g. price-fixing) and by blocking anti-competitive business mergers. It also has a role in promoting competition in the economy by identifying legislative restrictions on competition, advising the Government on the implications for competition of proposed legislation, and by providing general information about competition issues.

With regard to any suspected manipulation of the market I would ask the Deputy to bring forward any information or evidence he has in this regard to the Competition Authority of Ireland who have the power to investigate such matters.