Dáil Éireann - Volume 574 - 13 November, 2003

Written Answers. - Company Takeovers.

Mr. Murphy Mr. Murphy

  112. Mr. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the delay regarding the sale of a company (details supplied) in Charleville, County Cork to a company (details supplied) in County Waterford. [26956/03]

Ms Harney Ms Harney

  Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney): Under the Competition Act 2002 responsibility for regulating mergers and acquisitions was transferred from my Department to the Competition Authority with effect from 1 January 2003. I retained a role in the decision making process but only where the merger or acquisition concerns a media business. Accordingly, I have no regulatory function in relation to the sale of the company referred to by the Deputy.

843

  Under the Competition Act all mergers and acquisitions involving parties with an annual turn[843]over in excess of €40 million must be notified to the Competition Authority for regulatory clearance before the transaction may proceed.

  I understand that this transaction was notified to the authority in September and is being examined at present.

Dáil Éireann 574 Written Answers. Company Takeovers.

Questions

20031113