Ireland sent to EU court for lack of competition

IRELAND is to be referred to the European Court of Justice for failing to open up business to competition.

Dublin City Council renewed its contract for the provision of ambulance services without opening up the business to competition, according to the European Commission.

As a result of this breach of EU competition rules, designed to ensure everyone gets a chance to tender for such contracts, the Commission is referring Ireland to the European Court of Justice.

Ireland is also one of five member states in the EU accused of failing to implement directives on recognising professional qualifications awarded by other member states. The directive was to have been introduced into national law on January 1 this year.

It replaces a number of older Directives and simplifies procedures for updating the lists of diplomas, certificates, and other qualifications that are supposed to be automatically recognised by all member states.

The Internal Market Commissioner, Frits Bolkestein said the failure to implement such measures means fewer opportunities for businesses and professionals, and less choice.

"Member States themselves set the implementation deadlines for these Directives if they do not respect the goals they themselves have set, then their credibility, and that of the European Union, is seriously diminished," he said.

The steps being taken by the EU against Ireland, France, Italy, Luxembourg and Britain is the second stage in the infringement procedure. If the countries do not give a satisfactory response within two months, the Commission may refer them to the European Court of Justice.