ROAD HAULIERS ADMIT BREACH OF COMPETITION ACT

The Competition Authority today announced that it had settled its action against the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and a number of named hauliers after they had agreed to a Court declaration that they had engaged in a concerted practice to fix prices between January and June of last year. The IRHA and the other named defendants also gave undertakings to the Court that they would not engage in price fixing contrary to Section 4(1) of the Competition Act and they would not engage in the blockading of Dublin Port and the surrounding areas in order to achieve any increase in prices for haulage services. The IRHA also agreed to an order for costs in favour of the Authority.

The case which began last Tuesday, arose out of events in May and June of last year which culminated in a blockade of Dublin Port. On 6 June 1997, the day of the last general election, the Authority obtained an injunction restraining the defendants from blockading Dublin Port.

The Competition Authority stated that it was very pleased at the outcome. The Authority has indicated in the past that tackling price fixing cartels is its top priority. Price fixing agreements harm consumers and also undermine Irish firms ability to compete on international markets. The Authority restated its view that where it finds evidence of cartel type behaviour it will bring the parties involved before the Courts. A spokesperson for the Authority added: 'Today's outcome is a clear and unequivocal signal from the Authority that cartel-like behaviour is a serious breach of the Act. Business should get the message that the Authority will not tolerate price fixing.'