The Competition Authority is to begin a consultation process for a study of competition in a number of professions under the Competition Acts.
'The Authority has been concerned for some time that the level of competition within some professions may not be as strong as it could be,' said chairman Dr John Fingleton, who added that this view had been supported by last week's OECD report on Irish regulatory reform.
'While regulation is often necessary for public interest objectives, it has in the past frequently been used to cloak or facilitate anti-competitive activity,' said Dr Fingleton.
The Authority is to study a range of restrictions such as barriers to entry, restraints on behaviour and bans on advertising. It says possible areas of inquiry include law, medicine, finance and construction and is seeking views and comments.
* The Authority has also welcomed yesterday's move by the telecoms regulator to set prices for the unbundling of the local loop.
* Pat Massey is to leave the Authority when his current term expires at the end of September.
