Vol. 511 No. 6
114 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the changes, if any, made in the staff of the Competition Authority; the rules, if any, governing the direct movement of senior staff from the authority into private industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25101/99]
The chairman of the Competition Authority has recently indicated to me his intention to take up a post in the private sector. In addition, another member of the Competition Authority applied for and has been appointed aviation regulator and he has also tendered his resignation.
I intend to keep the complement of authority members at five, including a chairman, and I am arranging for an open competition to recruit replacements for the vacant posts of chairman and member.
There are no specific rules in the competition legislation governing the direct movement of staff from the Competition Authority into private industry. The rules specific to the appointment and resignation of members of the Competition Authority are set out in the Schedule to the Competition Act, 1991.
