Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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9. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 7 December 2021, the steps he is taking to ensure that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission secures a copy of the report for the Irish owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62163/21]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Further to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 119 on this matter on 7 December last, I am advised that the position is that the French consumer protection authority (DGCCRF) is investigating the issues that were referred to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) by the Irish complainants involved. The primary focus of the CCPC is to continue to support the DGCCRF investigation through providing any assistance or information requested by the DGCCRF. The CCPC considers this matter as a high priority issue and one to which they have dedicated considerable resources. The CCPC has not received the final report of the DGCCRF investigation. The CCPC continues to keep lines of communication open with the complainants and it has updated them when further information has been provided by the DGCCRF.

I am informed, the CCPC notified the DGCCRF of recent developments, specifically the receipt by some property owners of European Enforcement Orders, and the seriousness of these for the individuals involved and complainants’ requests for copies of the DGCCRF reports. In response to CCPC requests, the DGCCRF provided an update for complainants which has been communicated to complainants by the CCPC over recent days. In that update, the DGCCRF state they understand the very difficult financial position of property owners. The DGCCRF have informed the CCPC that they cannot assist with sending to the CCPC a copy of the French reports, stating that Procedural Law in France does not provide for the possibility for the DGCCRF to make such reports publicly available. The DGCCRF have advised the CCPC that reports have been sent to three competent prosecutors and it is the prerogative of these prosecutors to decide on the next steps. The DGCCRF have said they will inform the CCPC about the next steps when these have been decided on. The complainants concerned will then be in a position to make direct contact with the prosecutor in charge, in order to seek access to the reports.