Competition law in Ireland: new legislation; new chairperson; and now, a new strategy statement

2023 has seen:

• the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 enter into force
• a new Chairperson of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) with Brian McHugh taking the helm and
• now, a new strategy statement for 2024-2026.

What can business leaders learn from the new strategy statement?

The CCPC intends using its new powers (in the 2022 legislation) to:

• increase enforcement and compliance
• empower consumers to make informed choices
• be a voice for consumers
• grow in size and capability.

The CCPC’s consultations with stakeholders saw four key themes emerging:

• the CCPC should intervene where consumers need the CCPC the most
• put a plan in place to deploy the CCPC’s functions and tools
• “make a larger impact” – the “CCPC has an opportunity to increase our impact with our new powers and to deliver real change as we grow both in size and remit”
• “push for changes that are needed to enhance consumer welfare”.

The CCPC wants to achieve various aims including:

• increase its capacity to conduct multiple simultaneous large-scale investigations
• promote anonymous whistleblowing
• develop surveillance capabilities
• establish a Competition Adjudication Unit
• introduce updated merger guidance and focus on mergers that have the potential to cause most harm to competition.

For more information on the strategy statement and this post, please contact Dr Vincent Power, Partner or any member of A&L Goodbody's EU, Competition & Procurement team.

Date published: 16 November 2023