Wait for Competition Authority boss

A NEW chairman of the Competition Authority is unlikely to be appointed until next year.

The Authority’s previous chairman Dr John Fingleton last month took up the role of chief executive of Britain’s consumer watchdog, the Office of Fair Trading.

However, he was appointed to the job in early July.

Speaking in the Dáil, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin said it would be months before a successor is found.

“The vacancy has been advertised both nationally and internationally, and consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers, have been engaged to carry out an executive search for suitable candidates,” Minister Martin said.

“The public appointments service is arranging for a high-level board to conduct competitive interviews. However, in view of the high profile of this post and the worldwide scope of the executive search for suitably qualified candidates, it is unlikely an appointment will be made until 2006.”

Responding to a question from Fine Gael’s enterprise spokesman Phil Hogan, the minister said it would be late next year before legislation to bring the National Consumer Agency into being will be published and it will be 2007 before the it will be up and running.

“In the meantime, I have appointed a board to the agency to act in an interim capacity.

“Since its appointment, it has been active in putting the consumer’s case on issues such as the debate on the future of the groceries order.

“I am confident the interim board will continue to be a forceful advocate for consumers in ensuring their voices are heard,” Minister Martin said.