Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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176. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the monopolies created by big technology companies; his further views on the European Commission Digital Markets Act which seeks to address the anti-competitive issues which arise as a result of these monopolies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57144/21]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Some large technology companies have market positions which allow them to act as gateways between businesses and consumers.

In the digital sector these companies are generally referred to as ‘Gatekeepers’. This is the approach being taken in the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) proposal where some technology companies will be designated as having ‘Gatekeeper’ status.

The DMA sets out harmonised rules that define and prohibit certain unfair practices by these ‘Gatekeeper’ platforms which the European Commission will enforce with support coming from Member States.

The objectives of the DMA are to ensure extra contestability in digital markets and to deliver a regulatory regime that is flexible, proportionate, future proofed and provides optimal legal certainty for all relevant stakeholders.

Ireland has supported these objectives since the DMA proposal was published and it will continue to do so throughout the rest of the negotiations on the file.

EU Ministers will consider the Council’s general approach to the DMA at the EU Competitiveness Council meeting on 25 November 2021.