Because of their structure and characteristics, utilities sectors are highly concentrated, and their operations must be subject to special competition and regulatory arrangements. We also have a long way to go in introducing more competition to the services area generally.
In its assessment of Ireland’s progress with the EU’s Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, the EU Commission has drawn attention to the need to foster competition in professional services, retail distribution and insurance. There still are significant barriers to entry in many professional services in particular, and, as a consequence, prices here are very high by international standards.