Ireland

• Pages: 1-106

CHAPTER 12

IRELAND

Ireland-3

CONTENTS

A. OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 7

1. General Policies Underlying Competition Laws ......................................... 7

a. Introduction ......................................................................................... 7

b. Principal Objectives ............................................................................ 8

c. Role of Economic Doctrines and Analysis ......................................... 8

d. The Relationship between Irish and European Union

Competition Law ................................................................................ 9

2. Overview of Applicable Statutes ............................................................... 11

3. Overview of Structure, Independence, and Jurisdiction of

Enforcement Agencies .............................................................................. 12

4. Overview of Structure, Independence, and Jurisdiction of

Judicial Authorities ................................................................................... 12

B. SUBSTANTIVE LAW ............................................................................................ 13

1. General ...................................................................................................... 13

2. Undertakings ............................................................................................. 14

a. General .............................................................................................. 14

b. Public Bodies .................................................................................... 14

c. Trade Unions .................................................................................... 15

d. Employees ......................................................................................... 16

e. Purchasers of Land............................................................................ 16

3. Horizontal Agreements and Practices ....................................................... 16

a. General .............................................................................................. 16

b. The Section 4(1) Prohibition ............................................................. 17

(1) Section 4(1) .............................................................................. 17

(2) Agreements, Decisions by Associations of

Undertakings, and Concerted Practices .................................... 18

(3) Object or Effect ........................................................................ 19

(4) Prevention, Restriction, or Distortion

of Competition.......................................................................... 20

(5) Competition in the State or Any Part of the State .................... 21

c. Exemptions from the Prohibition ...................................................... 21

d. Cartel Enforcement ........................................................................... 23

(1) Agreements Covered ................................................................ 23

(2) Bid Rigging .............................................................................. 24

(3) Enforcement Authorities .......................................................... 25

(4) Investigatory Procedures .......................................................... 25

(a) General .............................................................................. 25

(b) Power of Arrest ................................................................. 25

(c) Wiretapping ....................................................................... 26

(5) Immunity Program ................................................................... 26

(a) General .............................................................................. 26

(b) Roles of the Commission and the DPP .............................. 27

(c) Obtaining Immunity .......................................................... 28