Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2013
374. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline the progress made in the planned merger of the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency; and his plans to ensure the new body is as effective as possible in promoting fair competition among businesses and in upholding the rights of consumers, both of which are central to our country's economic recovery. [4428/13]
View answerWork on drafting the Consumer and Competition Bill is on-going and the Bill is included in the “A list” in the Government’s current Legislative Programme. In addition to merging the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, the Bill will, inter alia, update and reform competition law on foot a review of the operation and implementation of the Competition Act 2002, give effect to the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Media Mergers and introduce enabling provisions for a code of practice for the grocery goods sector. The merger of the two bodies is aimed at ensuring improved co-ordination of the two policy areas. Enforcing both competition and consumer laws will give the newly merged body synergies and efficiencies in carrying out its functions. This will have benefits for consumers due to the existence of a stronger and more co-ordinated body dealing with consumer and competition issues.
