Policy matters relating to the agriculture sector (including sector specific legislation) are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Competition Acts 2002 to 2014 constitute a horizontal piece of competition law which refer to all sectors. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory independent body responsible for the enforcement of domestic and EU competition law in the State. Section 9 (5) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides that the Commission is independent in the performance of its functions, including carrying out investigations of alleged anti-competitive practices. As investigations and enforcement matters generally are part of the day-to-day operational work of the Commission, I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, have no direct function in the matter.
Should the Deputy believe that there are any anti-competitive practices occurring in any sector, he should contact the CCPC directly in the matter.