Competition Authority (Ireland)
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The Competition Authority (TCA) is the statutory body responsible for regulating competition in the Republic of Ireland. The authority was established under the Section 10 of the Competition Act, 1991 to assume the functions of the defunct Fair Trade Commission. The Competition Act, 2002 changed the authority from an office of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment into an independent body. The principle aims of the authority are to protect consumers from anti-competitive practices, and to prevent abuse of dominant positions by businesses.
The authority is divided into five sections: Cartels, Monopolies, Advocacy, Mergers, and the Chairperson's Office. The authority is a collegiate body, consisting of five full time members, each heading a division, appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. There is also an external advisory panel, which advises the authority on legal, policy, management, and strategic issues.
