Richard Bruton
Question:79 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on the potential economic gains from a more effective competition policy.
Written Answers. - Competition Policy.
There are, of course, economic gains to be made from an effective competition policy. An effective policy in this area is promoted by the Government, not on the basis of an attachment to abstract principles, but rather because there are economic gains to be made.
Players in the economy who are sheltered from competitive forces impose costs on others. It is the removal of these burdens that produces economic gains.
While attempts have been made by academics to quantify the gains it is a very difficult task. In an Irish context one of the particular difficulties in quantification of gains is measuring how much is obtained through an effective domestic policy and how much through the international and Community system. This makes it important to pursue both avenues.