Competition in Professional Services
In March 2003, a report commissioned by the Competition Authority (predecessor of the CCPC) from economic consultants, Indecon, identified a number of restrictions on competition across a range of eight professions in the construction, legal and medical sectors of the Irish economy.
The Indecon reports were the starting points for the Competition Authority to carry out a series of in-depth reports of the eight professions. The specific professions reviewed were engineers, architects, dentists, optometrists, veterinary surgeons, medical practitioners, solicitors and barristers.
| Publication | Final Report | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers | December 2004 | 2 |
| Architects | March 2006 | 11 |
| Optometrists | June 2006 | 5 |
| Dentists | October 2007 | 12 |
| Solicitors & Barristers | December 2006 | 29 |
| Veterinary Practitioners | June 2008 | 5 |
| General Medical Practitioners | December 2009 (Part I & II), July 2010 (Part III) | 7 |
Indecon Report: Indecon’s Assessment of Restrictions in the Supply of Professional Services (Published 20 March 2003).
An OECD Report on Regulatory Reform in Ireland [hyperlink the underlined to relevant link) in 2001 also found that competition in the professional services sector in Ireland could be stronger. The purpose of the series of studies was to:
- Identify any regulations or practices that may restrict competition within these professions
- Evaluate any consumer benefits claimed to exist from any of these restrictions
- Consider whether the restrictions are proportionate to any benefits
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