Engineers: The report concludes that there are "relatively few" restrictions on competition in the engineering profession in Ireland. However, it identified two potential issues that should be addressed.

The practice of displaying fee scales on the website of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) came in for criticism. This could deter firms from setting prices below the recommended levels, according to the report. The publication of the pricing information offers no real benefit to clients of engineering firms as many are repeat business or government clients, which are likely to be well-informed and have more buyer power than personal clients.

The report also takes issue with some advertising codes of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland (IEI) and the ACEI, which restrict the size and tone of advertisements. There should be more flexibility in the codes to enable firms to engage in competitive advertising, provided it is truthful, the report says.

"We certainly will be looking at their comments and responding but we don't see it as being a problem," said Mr Paddy Purcell, IEI director general.

He said the IEI was "satisfied and happy" with the consultants' findings.

The report's recommendation that the IEI be more flexible in its requirement that candidates for the title of Chartered Engineer be supported by four existing chartered engineers is one that has already been addressed by the institute, according to Mr Purcell.