SF support for cartels & 'abusive monolopies'

[woodie]

In responding to questions on 15 September I posted 'off-topic' on another site http://www.politics.ie/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7706, cain1798 outlined his opposition to Arts.III-161 & III-162 of the European Constitution.

These outlaw attempts by any firm or a cartel to abuse their dominant position in the EU's internal market by imposing unfair purchase or selling prices, unfair trading conditions, etc. They're exactly the same as the current Arts.81 & 82 of the EC Treaty which have been in place since the EEC was established.

In March 2004, the European Commission imposed a fine of almost €500 million on Microsoft for abusing its dominant position. This fine was upheld by the Court of First Instance of the European Court of Justice last December.

Furthermore, last June, the Commission broke up an attempt by Coca Cola to enter into exclusive arrangements with shops and pubs which forced them to take less popular products with is stronger brands. The EU threatened Coca Cola with fines of up to 10% of its worldwide turnover if Coca Cola tried to impose these arrangements. This decision was good for Irish soft-drinks manufacturers and the workers employed by them. Full details are available at http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressRelease ... anguage=en

Cain1798 agreed a few days ago to respond on this point but nothing has been posted yet.

In the interim, could other SF supporters/members indicate if this is SF policy, i.e. do SF oppose attempts by the EU to break-up cartels and firms that abuse their dominant position?

[MacCoise]

nobody cares, get over it. Constitution=dead, simple

[mjcoughlan]

I think it's quite telling actually.

[JCSkinner]

Not a good answer, mate. Given how singularly useless our competition authority has been, we are heavily reliant on the EU to enforce anti-cartel practice on this country, which is after all one of the most corrupt in the world, according to the global corruption index.
What does Sinn Fein propose to do to eradicate cartel practices in Ireland if they do not support these articles?

[ChrIreland]

I think it's quite telling actually.

[woodie]

Just to remind all the SF activists who aren't too caught up in the peace negotiations that there are still questions to be answered here.

Don't forget now!!!

[mjcoughlan]

Just to remind all the SF activists who aren't too caught up in the peace negotiations that there are still questions to be answered here.

Don't forget now!!!

woodie, they simply don't have views on it because they cannot see past the end of their noses and are just not interested in it.

[FutureTaoiseach]

Dead it may be but it still shows us how committed SF are to taking on vested interests and monopolies - not at all in other words.

[mjcoughlan]

Dead it may be but it still shows us how committed SF are to taking on vested interests and monopolies - not at all in other words.

Indeed. And they say that the PDs stand up for greed!

[ChrIreland]

Dead it may be but it still shows us how committed SF are to taking on vested interests and monopolies - not at all in other words.

Indeed. And they say that the PDs stand up for greed!

And could the be wrong? Is that why the PD camp in Waterford is decimated? Maybe Waterford people have more cop on than some of the snob middle class PDs.