Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 3

Written Answers - Competition Authority.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

32 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional staff or resources she intends to provide for the Competition Authority, having particular regard to the recommendations of the recent OECD report on deregulation; if she envisages any legislative changes arising from the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12178/01]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

Last year between May and October, a review by the consultants, Deloitte and Touche, of the structure, operations, resource requirements, business processes and IT systems in the Competition Authority took place with a view to providing clear recommendations on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Competition Authority.

The review was also to provide an indication of necessary staffing levels and the final report contained a central recommendation that the staffing complement of the authority be increased to 44. Prior to the review, the authorised complement was 24 and following an interim report by the consultants, I increased the complement by two senior economists and three legal advisers to 29.

The 15 additional posts are recommended over a range of grades and within these it is recommended that three gardaí should be appointed to the Competition Authority to assist in its enforcement work.

My Department is currently in consultation with the Department of Finance in regard to the implementation of the staffing recommendations of the Deloitte and Touche report.

The OECD report on regulatory reform published last week made reference,inter alia, to the question of resources for the Competition Authority and acknowledged that steps have been taken to bring the authority up to authorised staff levels.

As regards the follow-up to the OECD report on regulatory reform in Ireland, while this will involve some legislative changes, much of the follow-up will be carried out by administrative action.