Competition and consumer watchdog believes cartels are operating within procurement system

Brian McHugh, chairman of the CCPC, said the commission was looking for its powers to be strengthened in a range of areas, including the ability to levy sanctions for breaches of consumer law.

The competition and consumer watchdog believes there are “cartels” operating within Ireland’s procurement system, but that it needs more powers to investigate.

Speaking at a meeting of the Oireachtas committee on enterprise, tourism and employment, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) also reaffirmed that it had seen no evidence of price gouging despite recent spikes in the cost of fuel and home heating oil.