Vol. 521 No. 4
57 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current complement of staff within the Competition Authority; the current number of vacancies which exist within the Competition Authority; when the Competition Authority will have a full complement of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17351/00]
58 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the Competition Authority is unable to function at present; the length of time that this situation has been ongoing; when she will be in a position to rectify this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17352/00]
59 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that individuals currently lodging complaints with the Competition Authority are being informed that it is unable to investigate the matter due to lack of resources; her views on whether this is a satisfac tory situation in view of the growing demands for such investigations to be carried out; the plans, if any, she has to ensure that the Competition Authority can function in the way originally intended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17353/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 to 59, inclusive, together.
The current situation in the Competition Authority arose from a series of resignations which took place at all levels in the authority over the past nine months. The chairman and one full time member of the authority, together with five supporting professional staff, two legal advisers and three economists, resigned to take up alternative employment. In addition, vacancies arose at administrative level.
I acted to rectify the situation. I have increased the authorised staffing numbers of the Competition Authority from 24 to 29 by adding five professional staff. The authorised staffing of the authority is now one full-time chairman, four full-time members, 12 professional staff – five legal advisers and seven economists – and 12 clerical-administrative staff.
There are currently vacancies for five economists, five legal advisers and three administrative staff in the authority. Arrangements for the recruitment of economists arising from a recent competition are well advanced and interviews were held last week for legal advisers. The recruitment process to fill the new professional posts will begin soon under the auspices of the Civil Service Commission.
The new chairman, Dr. John Fingleton, took up appointment last month and a new member, Dr. Paul Gorecki, has taken up his appointment this month. Both have been appointed following an open competitive interview process held earlier this year. Dr. John Fingleton has also been appointed director of competition enforcement.
This staffing situation placed major constraints on the authority's capacity to investigate new complaints. I am confident that this situation will now change as the newly recruited staff take up their positions. To ensure that the situation regarding staffing is tackled comprehensively, my Department, together with the authority, is currently involved with outside consultants in a study of the authority's operations with a view to having its future resource requirements assessed. All staffing issues are being dealt with in the study. I am fully committed to ensuring that the authority is adequately resourced to discharge its important statutory functions.
