“The Competition Authority’s case into the price fixing of cars consumed all their resources over the three year period it took to bring to trial”
“I believe that cartels are endemic in the industry.”
The above quotes from RTE News on Feb 9th last are indicative of how seriously white collar crime is taken in this country.
The Competition Authority is only provided with enough resources to conduct one investigation into one aspect of one industry. Meanwhile, consumers continue to be robbed of countless millions in the motor industry and any number of other cartels operating with impunity.
In addition to lack of resources for the Competition Authority, the naivety of judges is also a major contributing factor in the continuing rip off of consumers.
Denis Manning, the criminal in this case, spouted the age old excuse of age and ill health and the judge fell for it. This is despite the fact that Manning steadfastly refused to cooperate with the investigation thus prolonging it by up to 18 months.