IBEC concern over Competition Act

THE country's main employer body IBEC has expressed serious concern that the stronger powers given to the Competition Authority are draconian in their implications.

Last year the CA carried out 18 dawn raids on Irish companies suspected of being involved in price fixing cartels.

If guilty offenders face jail. Ireland is the only country in Europe where cartel fixing is a jailable offence, said Marie Daly, assistant director IBEC.