CCPC conducts searches of businesses in Cork
December 8, 2023
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has carried out a number of searches of businesses based in the Cork area.
The searches have taken place as part of an on-going CCPC criminal investigation into potential breaches of competition law. The investigation relates to the publicly funded transport sector. Authorised officers from the CCPC were supported by colleagues from An Garda Síochána, with detectives from the Cork Division participating in the operation.
The CCPC is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition law in Ireland. Competition law forbids two broad types of behaviour – firstly, anti-competitive agreements between two or more independent firms such as agreements between competitors to fix prices, share markets or restrict output. These agreements are commonly referred to as cartel agreements. Secondly, abusive practices by firms which hold dominant market positions. Such practices could include predatory pricing or refusal to supply. It is the CCPC’s role to enforce Irish and European Union competition law by investigating suspected breaches of these prohibitions.
The CCPC has the power, under legislation, to carry out unannounced searches of business premises and private homes, on foot of a search warrant issued by the District Court. The aim of a search is to obtain information and evidence relating to an investigation being carried out by the CCPC. These searches are commonly referred to as ‘dawn raids’.
As the investigation is on-going, no further comment can be made at this time.
Learn more about the CCPC and our competition law enforcement work.
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