Vol. 563 No. 4
112 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she expects to receive the report of the Competition Authority into soaring prices and professional fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8131/03]
In May 2001 the Competition Authority decided, on its own initiative, to undertake a study of competition in a number of professions under section 11 of the Competition Act 1991 as amended. Following a public consultation process, the authority decided that the professions to be studied in detail were medical practitioner, dentist, veterinary surgeon, optometrist, solicitor, barrister, architect and engineer.
In March 2002, following a tendering procedure, Indecon International Economic Consultants were selected to conduct the main research phase of the study. The Indecon report was recently completed and was published by the authority on 20 March 2003. I understand that the Indecon report will provide the main research basis for the remainder of the authority's study which will now move into the next phase, profession by profession, starting with engineers. Using the Indecon findings the authority will soon publish a public consultation paper on competition in each of the eight professions. I understand the authority will finalise its first report before the end May and subsequent reports will be produced later in the year and into 2004.
