The Competition Authority has begun a process to study competitive practices in a number of professions. Law, medicine, finance or construction may be included, according to the authority.
Yesterday's announcement of an initial consultation process follows the publication last week of an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) "Report on Regulatory Reform in Ireland" and the subsequent request by the Government for the authority to undertake a study.
The chairman of the authority, Dr John Fingleton, said the authority had been concerned for some time that the level of competition within some professions might not be as strong as it could be, and this view had been supported by the OECD report.
"Professional services are widely used by consumers, businesses and Government. The efficient functioning of these markets is extremely important for the Irish economy. While the regulation is often necessary for public interest objectives, it has in the past frequently been used to cloak or facilitate anti-competition activity," he said.
The authority will study a range of restrictions such as barriers to entry, restraints on behaviour, and bans on advertising or seeking new business that are common to several professions and that are supported within a statutory or regulatory framework.
A preliminary consultation document is available from the authority (www.tca.ie/ professions.html). Submissions must be received by May 24th.
The chairman of the Consumers' Association of Ireland, Mr Michael Kilcoyne, welcomed the study.