Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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24. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the recent sale of Slaney Meats to ABP Food Group will further reduce competition in the beef sector; if the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission should investigate the presence of monopoly situations in the beef sector and in the rendering sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2300/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 30 licensed beef export slaughter plants in the state operated by 16 companies. Many reports on the Irish beef industry over the years have referenced the necessity for the consideration of the issue of rationalisation within the industry. With regard to whether the matter referred to by the Deputy will further reduce competition in the beef sector; that ultimately will be a matter to be decided by the relevant authorities with responsibility for the issue of competition.

The State, through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, has an existing and well established infrastructure for oversight of competition matters and for dealing with allegations of anti-competitive practices or abuse of a dominant position. However as with any matter to be considered by an authority there is a well established regulatory process for the assessment of this sale referred to by the Deputy to ensure that consumers or other businesses do not suffer or that the merger or acquisition does not lead to a reduction in competition.

As part of this process the examination of the proposed takeover will involve either a one or two stage investigation by the relevant authorities, which, depending on the level of turnover of the two organisations, will involve the EU Commission or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, or both. At the end of the process the authorities may unconditionally clear the merger, approve the merger subject to remedies or prohibitthe merger if no adequate remedies to the competition concerns have been proposed by the merging parties. I am satisfied that this process will ensure a thorough and independent assessment of the impact of the proposed takeover on the Irish beef industry and that any issues with regard to competition in this sector will adequately addressed within this process.