Co-operation

We work in partnership with a range of organisations in Ireland and internationally including

business groups
sector regulators
other government departments
other competition and consumer bodies across the world

We also co-operate with other statutory bodies in the course of our work, and some of these relationships have been formalised through co-operation agreements.

How does the CCPC co-operate with other statutory bodies?

Section 19 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 (2014 Act) allows the CCPC to enter into agreements with certain prescribed bodies to co-operate in performing their respective functions relating to (i) consumer protection and welfare issues, or (ii) competition issues between undertakings. This allows the CCPC to enter into agreements with other statutory bodies to allow co-operation, avoid duplication and ensure consistency between what we do and what other statutory bodies do.

Co-operation agreements between the CCPC and other statutory bodies

ComReg

On 11 November 2015 the CCPC entered into its first co-operation agreement under section 19 of the 2014 Act, with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). This agreement provides for co-operation between the CCPC and ComReg in relation to our consumer protection functions. On 19 July 2016, the CCPC and ComReg entered into a supplemental agreement to correct a minor typographical error in the co-operation agreement of 11 November 2015.

ComReg has competition powers in the area of electronic communications services, electronic communications networks and associated facilities. The Competition Authority and ComReg entered into a co-operation agreement in 2008, pursuant to section 47G of the Competition Act 2002 (as amended), to facilitate the exercise of their respective competition powers. Read this co-operation agreement with the Commission for Communications Regulation (dated 23 June 2008). The Competition Authority and ComReg also entered into a more general co-operation agreement in 2002, pursuant to section 34(1) of the Competition Act 2002, in relation to their respective functions (dated 16 December 2002). These 2002 and 2008 agreements are still in force.

Central Bank of Ireland

On 13 December 2021 the CCPC entered into a revised cooperation agreement under section 19 of the 2014 Act with the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI). This agreement provides for co-operation between the CCPC and CBI in relation to our respective functions.

Coimisiún na Meán

On 23 May 2024, the CCPC entered into a cooperation agreement with Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, An Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM), pursuant to s.45(1) of the Digital Services Act 2024. This agreement will facilitate cooperation, consultation, and consistency in decision-making between the CCPC and CnaM, when performing their respective functions in so far as they relate to the Digital Services Act.

Co-operation agreements between the Competition Authority and other statutory bodies

The Competition Authority (i.e. one of the predecessors of the CCPC) entered into co-operation agreements with various statutory bodies pursuant to section 34(1) of the Competition Act 2002. These co-operation agreements remain in force until replaced by new co-operation agreements between the CCPC and the relevant statutory bodies.

The co-operation agreements entered into between the Competition Authority and other statutory bodies pursuant to section 34(1) of the Competition Act 2002 are: