The following table provides links to reports already published as part of the Competition Authority’s professions study and projected publication dates for future reports.
Note: Click on the name of the profession to access the content of the report.
Background
In March 2003, a report commissioned by the Competition Authority 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 specific professions reviewed were engineers, architects, dentists, optometrists, veterinary surgeons, medical practitioners, solicitors and barristers. The work for that report was carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants and was used as the starting point by the Competition Authority to carry out a series of in-depth reports into each of the eight professions.
Indecon Report: Indecon’s Assessment of Restrictions in the Supply of Professional Services (Published 20th March, 2003).
This Study of selected professions is being carried out by the Competition Authority following an OECD Report in 2001 which suggested that competition in the professional services sector in Ireland could be stronger. The purpose of the study is 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; and
- Consider whether the restrictions are proportionate to any benefits.