The competition watchdog will soon have new rules for whistleblowers and the power to impose hefty fines on businesses. McCann Fitzgerald partners Philip Andrews and Laura Treacy explore a seismic shift in Ireland's antitrust laws.
Tommy Higgins pioneered the Irish ticketing industry and was an original backer of Riverdance. When he sold his business to Ticketmaster, he became the giant's European boss. He talks about the “torture” of competition probes and the economics of entertainment.
The pandemic could have resulted in more businesses coming up for sale, but it hasn’t happened – or not yet. Instead, the CCPC has seen merger cases dry up as health restrictions ebbed and flowed.
Following a competition probe, the company selling the vast majority of Ireland’s concert tickets has agreed to remove clauses forcing venues to use its services. The issue was thrown open during the sale of Denis Desmond’s gig promotion firm two years ago.
Following an investigation into the distribution of tickets to live events, the Competition and Consumer Commission has applied to the High Court to give legal standing to a settlement with Ticketmaster.
As his office prepares to take on sweeping new responsibilities, Ireland’s top competition law enforcer Brian McHugh discusses Brexit, EU-wide efforts to regulate tech multinationals and the CCPC’s reluctance to tackle beef barons.
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