Brian McHugh

Co-hosted by the CCPC and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the event, which is part of Ireland’s European Union presidency, will take place at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland in Glasnevin, Dublin 9.

Guests will be addressed by the minister for enterprise, tourism and employment, Peter Burke, and there will be a keynote speech from Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. Guests will also hear from newly appointed Irish director-general of the Directorate-General for Competition at the European Commission, Anthony Whelan.

Mr Burke will say: “Competitive markets create real benefits for societies. This brings lower prices and increased choice for consumers, while competing businesses push each other to innovate and develop new and better ways of doing things. The European Union needs to maintain a fair and level playing field for business, while ensuring our policies don’t affect their ability to trade and bring economic value to our countries and our communities.”

Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, will say: “Europe cannot afford to become dependent on a handful of companies for technologies that will shape our economy and our society. Ultimately, it is about ensuring that markets deliver for European citizens.”

“At a time when Europeans continue to feel the pressure of inflation and persistent high prices, competition matters for affordability and choice, and indeed for ensuring citizens and their families can live in dignity.”

Brian McHugh, CCPC chair, will comment: “Competition is one of the most powerful tools governments have to protect consumers. Europe can create more innovative and successful businesses, but competitive pressure must remain at the core of the market.

“Competition is necessary for success, even amongst scaling EU champion companies. The job of competition authorities is not to pick champions, it is to create a level playing field; consumers will pick the winners.” 

“That’s why defending competition has never been more important.” 

Attendees will also hear from John Fingleton, former chair of Ireland’s Competition Authority and the UK’s Office for Fair Trading. The event will also feature panel discussions on the benefits of competition, digital markets enforcement and the future of merger control, involving the heads of the Austrian, Belgian and Lithuanian competition authorities.