Vol. 503 No. 6
88 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received a report from the Competition Authority with regard to the price of petrol and variations in different parts of the country; if not, if she will request an investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10698/99]
I have not asked for nor received a report from the Competition Authority with regard to the price of petrol. The only report with regard to the petroleum industry completed by the Competition Authority was that in relation to the proposal whereby Statoil Ireland Limited would acquire the entire issued share capital of Conoco Ireland Limited. This proposal was notified under the Mergers and Takeovers (Control) Acts, 1978 to 1996 and under this legislation, I can ask the Competition Authority to investigate such proposals further before I make a decision. This report was published with due regard to commercial confidentiality as required by legislation and is available in the Oireachtas Library.
Under the Competition (Amendment) Act, 1996, the Competition Authority is empowered on its own initiative to carry out studies and analyses of any practice or method of competition affecting the supply and distribution of goods or the provision of services.
