ARTICLE · 04 AUGUST 1996

The Competition Amendment Act, 1996 - Background to the 1996 Act

European Federal Credit Bank Limited

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IrelandEmployment and HR

Johnny Johnson

The 1996 Act makes two fundamental changes to the existing competition law framework introduced by the Competition Act, 1991 ("the 1991 Act"). Before the 1996 Act was introduced ,Section 4 of the 1991 Act prohibited agreements, decisions or concerted practices between undertakings which have the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition ("anti-competitive arrangements") and Section 5 of the 1991 Act prohibited the abuse of a dominant position. The first change is that the 1996 Act makes it a criminal offence to enter into or implement an anti-competitive arrangement or to abuse a dominant position and penalises participants and, in the case of companies, the management.

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