CCPC panel ‘milestone’ for competition law
A panel of independent adjudication officers has begun work at the competition watchdog.
The officers, who were nominated by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), have been appointed by Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Peter Burke for five-year terms.
The commission says that the panel has diverse experience across competition law, economics, regulation, legal practice, and international enforcement.
The panel includes former CCPC chair Isolde Goggin.
Chief adjudication officer Brian Kennedy SC was already in place after his appointment earlier this year.
Infringements
The roles were created under the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022, which sets up a new administrative enforcement regime in Ireland for breaches of EU and Irish competition law.
Under the system, the CCPC has the power, through independent adjudication officers and subject to court approval, to make decisions on alleged infringements of competition law and to impose administrative financial sanctions of up to €10 million, or 10% of total worldwide turnover.
CCPC chair Brian McHugh described the panel’s appointment as “a significant milestone” for the commission and for competition in Ireland.
The panel members are:
- Andrew Taylor,
- Barry Doherty SC,
- Dr Catarina Marvão,
- Dr Dermot Nolan,
- Dr Elaine Byrne BL,
- Eoin Ó Cuilleanáin BL,
- Professor Francis O’Toole,
- Professor Frédéric Yves Jenny,
- Isolde Goggin,
- Johan Keetelaar,
- Julianne O’Leary,
- Laura McGovern,
- Lorna Gallagher BL,
- Dr Muiris Ó Céidigh,
- Sarah Johnson, and
- Susan Ahern SC.