Tanaiste to seek de-regulation of pub and pharmacy sector

The Tanaiste has said she hopes to de-regulate the pub and pharmacy sector in the wake of a major OECD report.

Mary Harney said changing the laws would benefit the customer and that it is time to open up such industries.

The OECD report warned that while Ireland's liberalisation commitments were admirable, they were not being followed up in practice.

Ms Harney said she would ask the Competition Authority to carry out a report on professional services within the Irish economy.

She said the process of giving the Authority more resources was already under way.