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THE MINISTER FOR Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton has denied any conflict of interest regarding his shareholding CRH Plc and his declining to investigate allegations of anti-competitive practices by the company.
Bruton, responding to a parliamentary question by Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, denied that a conflict of interest had led to his decision not to to ask the Competition Authority to carry out a market study or analysis of the cement, concrete and aggregates industry – after Flanagan noted the company had accused been of “conducting a market eviction strategy at the cost of taxpayers and independent producers which has led to a loss of jobs to the economy”.
Bruton said his interests in CRH Plc were “well known” and that he was satisfied that no conflict of interest rises in this situation, adding: “The obligation on me as Minister is to declare my interests, which I have done”.
The Minister said accusations against any business regarding a breach of competition law would be a matter for the Competition Authority – as it is the statutory body responsible for the reinforcement of such laws – and that he had “no direct function” in such matters.
Bruton said the Competition Authority, as the body responsible for competition law in Ireland, had the power to study and analyse any practice or method of competition affecting the supply and distribution of goods or the provision of services or any other matter relating to competition. As such, he said, the Authority had carried out a number of in-depth market studies in various sectors of the economy and published its reports, including recommendations aimed at improving competition in these areas. “This work, which is often referred to as a market study, generally involves a detailed economic analysis of a sector in its entirety,” he pointed out.
He said that, in his role as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, he was permitted to request the Authority to carry out a study or analysis of any practice or method of competition affecting the supply and distribution of goods or the provision of services – but added that such a request was related to an in-depth economic analysis and not “a request to carry out an investigation into alleged criminal behaviour”.
In its 2011 Annual Report, the Authority acknowledged that it was investigating allegations of anti-competitive activities in the concrete and cement industries. Bruton noted that, due to ongoing court cases in relation to these matters, it would be “inappropriate” for him to request the Authority to carry out a market study in this area or to comment further on the matter.
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Nice one. Loved him in Riverdance.
@John Condon: . I was addicted to doing the hokey pokey, but thankfully I turned myself around.
@John Condon: “Lord of the dance” for me
Can anyone confirm if Judge Martin Nolan is a permanent inhabitant of this planet??
@Scruff The Magic Wagon: He’s only here for a short time because of his suspended visa to the planet of Mars…
@Scruff The Magic Wagon: pensioner’s life’s don’t matter. A 22yrold against a 75yrold.
@Scruff The Magic Wagon: can’t be surely…. its like he has an aversion / blind spot when it comes to punishment/ sentencing
I hope he goes after the mass murdering zionist state Israel for killing nearly 20,000 children ripping them apart with bullets…blowing them apart with bombs…leaving ICU baby’s to die and rot to be fed upon by wild animals…
@William Slevin: While Hamas of course are left to the calling of their Islamic faith in slaughtering, torturing, raping and hostage taking??
@William Slevin: The ‘palestinians’ have abundantly shown their support for their terrorist government. Cheering the atrocities, taunting and spitting on the Israeli hostages, and encouraging their children to do the same. Not one ‘palestinian’ has voiced any horror at the actions of their government, not one has condemned them, or voiced any concern for the hostages. They still expect Israel to carry on providing them with food, water, electricity, medicines etc though.
@William Slevin: they reap what they sow, Hamas have made their bed, let them p!ss in it
@William Slevin: In fairness, you could be confused for a racist anti-semetic bigot.
@William Slevin: What amazes me about the pro-Palestinian lobby is that it never acknowledges the death and related atrocities committed by Muslims against other Muslims. Examples include the recent devastating war in Yemen coordinated by Saudi Arabia and Iran. Thousands of Yemenis have starved to death, since the Saudis blockaded the ports so that no food could be delivered to the main city.
What about the atrocities committed by the Assad regime against fellow Muslims in Syria? Putin has aided and abetted that regime, yet had the audacity to criticise Israel for committing war crimes.
Pakistan has recently evicted and expelled tens of thousands Afghanis from that country. The Afghani Taliban has committed atrocities against its own people – fellow Muslims.
@William Slevin: If the Palestinians laid down their arms there would be peace tomorrow. If Israel laid down their arms there would be an Oct 7 every day until there were no more Jews left. Israel are a democratic nation surrounded by malignant terrorist states, they are fighting for their existence as is their right.
@William Slevin: Maybe if hamas spent the billions received in aid for infrastructure, farming, industry, schools and hospitals instead of tunnels, guns, rockets and lining leaders pockets there could be peace. It is possible. Ask the 2 million muslims living in israel
@D W Chaney: not providing but not preventing access to supplies
Beaker.
Brilliant!..congrats!
A fine achievement
I wish him well
We can afford ourselves a little flutter of pride at how many Irish people land themselves top European & global positions
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