Competition Authority

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Questions (262)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

292 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ask the Competition Authority under section 30(2) of the Competition Act 2002 to carry out a market study or analysis of the cement, concrete and aggregates industry considering the vast amount of local authority money spent on those products including cement, concrete, asphalt, tarmac, bitumen, sand, gravel and so on; the recent findings by the Office of Fair Trading in the UK; the fact that proceedings have been initiated by the European Commission against the main operators in the industry in ten EU countries including a participant in the Irish market and two players in the Irish market who have previously been fined on a number of occasions for anti-competitive practices in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9773/12]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Richard Bruton)

I am aware that the Competition Authority, as the statutory independent body responsible for enforcing competition law in the State, has received information relating to alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the concrete industry. Section 29(3) of the Competition Act 2002 provides that the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Under section 30(1)(b) of that Act, the Competition Authority is responsible for investigating breaches of the Act. It is the Authority’s policy not to comment on investigations. As investigations and enforcement matters generally are part of the day-to-day operational work of the Authority, I have no direct function in the matter.

In light of this, I do not believe that it is appropriate to comment further.