ComReg welcomes the publication of the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022 which transposes Directive 2019/1 (ECN+ Directive) into Irish law and expands the powers of both ComReg and the CCPC to enforce European and Irish competition law.
Commenting on the publication of the Bill, Robert Mourik, Chairperson of ComReg, said:
“This legislation will give important new powers to ComReg to use in its role as a competition authority for the electronic communications sector to ensure competitive communications markets that work in the interests of consumers, businesses and society. In particular, ComReg welcomes the advent of administrative fining powers, whereby the Irish competition authorities may, subject to confirmation by a court, impose fines that are sufficiently high to act as a credible deterrent to anti-competitive behaviour.
ComReg considers that this is essential for the effective enforcement of competition law and notes that similar powers have proved to be a significant deterrent against breaches of competition law in other countries. ComReg also welcomes enhanced investigatory and information gathering powers with the potential for fines where companies do not cooperate properly with investigations. ComReg looks forward to working with the CCPC to implement this new legislation.”
The draft legislation, which is available at the following link, was approved by Cabinet on 25 January and will now be considered by the Houses of the Oireachtas where it may be subject to amendment.
