The Dáil is debating the Competition Amendment Bill, which aims to strengthen competition law enforcement and to clamp down on white-collar crime.
Fianna Fáil's Dara Calleary said the bigger players in the economy are still sailing beyond the law and we still have to see many of them come before the courts.
Mr Calleary said there were still areas of business hiding from the law and that the legislation before the Dáil falls short of the Government's ambition to reach into every corner.
Fine Gael's Joe McHugh said there are serious issues when companies from Northern Ireland tender for contracts in the Republic.
Mr McHugh said there are advantages enjoyed in other jurisdictions that do not exist in the Republic.
