Committee of Public Accounts to meet with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to examine its 2024 financial statements

The public meeting at 10.30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will feature officials from the CCPC led by Chairperson Mr. Brian McHugh, who is the Accountable Person to the Committee. 

They will be joined by officials from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, who will be attending in a representative capacity.  

The CCPC works to protect consumer welfare and healthy market competition by monitoring mergers, enforcing consumer protection laws, undertaking key research, promoting public awareness, and influencing policy. The Consumer Protection, Competition and Enforcement Bill 2026 is expected to increase its power to fine businesses found in breach of consumer protection law, as well as grant it access to the public sector data that will allow it to identify potential bid-rigging in public procurement. 

Its remit has also expanded in recent years to include responsibilities in relation to digital markets and data, including the EU Data Act, the Digital Services Act, the European Consumer Centre, the EU Accessibility Act and the AI Act. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy John Brady said: “Tomorrow’s meeting gives the Committee an important opportunity to examine how the CCPC is managing its growing remit, its financial position and the governance arrangements supporting that work. 
The CCPC’s sanctioned headcount has increased to 275 posts and its overall budget has risen from €12.5 million to €35.8 million.  

It now has a wider and more complex mandate than when it was first established, and we will be looking closely at the resources, accountability and effectiveness needed to match that expansion.
We will examine the CCPC’s financial statements, corporate governance arrangements, resource pressures arising from its expanded functions, and its future role in tackling bid-rigging and strengthening consumer law enforcement. 

We will also discuss the topic of motor fuel and home heating oil ‘price gouging’, underpayment of pension payments and the designation to provide European Consumer Centre services.” 

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.