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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 3

Written Answers - Competition Authority.

Liam Aylward

Question:

117 Mr. Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will seek an immediate report from the Competition Authority on the reason for the delay in processing a complaint forwarded to that body on 11 November 1999 and replied to on 18 April 2000 by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny where it was indicated that they were not in a position to pursue the case due to lack of resources; if any account was taken of the fact that the person had a serious loss of earnings during that period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13915/00]

The reason for the delay in processing this complaint is evident from the letter to which the Deputy refers, that is the resource constraints which the authority is currently experiencing. Over the past eight months, the chairman and one full time member of the authority together with five supporting professional staff two legal advisors and three economists have been attracted away from the competition authority to take up alternative employment.

While this unprecedented situation undoubtedly constrains the authority in fully discharging its functions, I have taken steps to fill all the vacancies as quickly as possible.

Dr. John Fingleton has already taken up appointment, filling the vacant post of chairman of the authority, and Dr Paul Gorecki will take up his post of member of the authority in June. Both have been appointed following an open competitive interview process held earlier this year.

The vacancies for professional staff are being filled by competitions currently being held under the auspices of the independent Civil Service Commission. Pending the filling of the posts, the authority is in a position to retain professional support on short-term contracts and they have made use of this approach to retain a legal adviser.

In addition, an independent study of the authority's operations is under way with a view to having its future resource requirements assessed.

I am fully committed to ensuring that the authority is both adequately resourced to discharge its important statutory functions and also to assist as far as I can, the Authority to retain such resources. I intend to speedily address the issues in the study when it is completed.

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