Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
181. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will request the CCPC to investigate the practices and pricing within the infant formula market under his powers in section 10 (4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9371/24]
View answerArticle 10 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 sets out the requirements for promotional and commercial practices for infant formula. This does not make provision for free or low-priced products, samples, special displays, discount coupons, premiums, special sales, loss-leaders, tie-in sales or any other promotional gifts, to promote the use of infant formula. These measures are designed so that the marketing and distribution of infant formula does not interfere with the protection and promotion of breastfeeding, which is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health.
I am aware that the CCCP recently initiated an important project looking at the State of Competition in Ireland, which it expects will provide high-level insights into relative competitive dynamics across sectors of the Irish economy. The CCPC advised my Officials that it anticipates that the results of this study will help guide it in terms of prioritisation of resources, addressing future, deeper dive studies with a particular emphasis on economic sectors with high and/or increasing concentration.
