The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
("CCPC") published its first Annual
Report for the period 31 October to 31 December 2015 (the
"Report"). The CCPC presents
itself as a determined and pragmatic regulator with a mission to
root out 'everyday' causes of consumer detriment. The
Report suggests that the merger of the competition and consumer
agencies in late 2014 and a recent recruitment drive have energised
the CCPC.
In addition, since publication of the Report, details have been
released of new CCPC investigations. Accordingly, companies
doing business in Ireland should be ready for CCPC enforcement
activity.
1 Competition Law Investigations
The Report explains some of the CCPC's work in the area of
cartels, such as its dawn raid in the bagged-cement industry.
This raid ultimately led to High Court action being taken against
the CCPC by the raided entity, Irish Cement Limited and its parent,
CRH, with a finding against the CCPC. Matheson
