Economic Competitiveness

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2012

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Ceisteanna (116)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

117 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ask the Competition Authority, under section 30(2) of the Competition Act 2002, to carry out a market study or analysis of the cement, concrete and aggregates industry in view of the amount of public money spent on those products, the recent findings by the Office of Fair Trading in the UK and the fact that the industry is being investigated for breaches of competition law in at least ten countries throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10415/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Richard Bruton)

I am aware that the Competition Authority, as the statutory independent body responsible for enforcing competition law in the State, has received information relating to alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the concrete industry. Section 29(3) of the Competition Act 2002 provides that the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Under section 30(1)(b) of that Act, the Competition Authority is responsible for investigating breaches of the Act. It is the Authority’s policy not to comment on investigations. As investigations and enforcement matters generally are part of the day-to-day operational work of the Authority, I have no direct function in the matter. In light of this, I do not believe that it is appropriate to comment further.