As the Deputy is aware, my colleague the Minister for Finance announced during his Budget 2009 address that the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency would be merged.
This will bring about improved co-ordination and synergies in the interests of consumer and business alike. The merger of both bodies also coincides with the review already underway of Ireland's competition law code which will ensure that Irish competition law, in so far as is possible, continues to be applied in a pragmatic way, reflecting the realities facing both the consumer and business, while protecting competition within relevant markets.
The issue of other possible rationalisations is still under review.