Ireland’s competition watchdog has carried out searches of businesses operating in the solar-panel industry as part of an investigation into suspected breaches of competition law.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission confirmed that authorised officers carried out searches with support from Garda District Detective Units and local Gardaí.
The investigation concerns potential bid-rigging.
Bid-rigging can occur where competing businesses secretly coordinate how they respond to tender processes rather than competing independently.
The CCPC said such conduct can include businesses agreeing who will win a contract, submitting cover bids, taking turns to win contracts or agreeing not to bid.
However, the regulator stressed that the carrying out of searches does not mean any breach of competition law has occurred.
The CCPC is appealing for businesses or individuals with information relevant to the investigation to come forward.
The investigation remains ongoing and the regulator said it could not provide further comment at this stage.
