Vol. 493 No. 3
23 Mr. Bell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her view in relation to reports that the Competition Authority is likely to approve the take-over of United Beverages by Guinness-Diageo; and the further action, if any, she may take in this regard. [15909/98]
As I previously outlined to the House, Guinness Ireland Group voluntarily notified its proposed takeover of United Beverages Holdings to the Competition Authority on 4 September 1997 seeking clearance of the proposal under the Competition Acts. This ensured that the proposal would be subjected to a thorough investigation by an independent authority and rendered it unnecessary for me to exercise my powers under the Competition Acts.
The Competition Authority has yet to issue a statement on the matter and accordingly, I do not consider it appropriate to comment while the matter is in the hands of the independent statutory authority.
