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Paul Gorecki

Trinity College Dublin

Professor

Paul Gorecki is a leading competition economist in Ireland, providing expert advice, contributing actively to the debate on competition policy through blogs, books and papers as well as having taught an undergraduate course at the Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin on competition, strategy and policy between 2013 and 2019. Paul has advised the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission with respect to several recent mergers: Topaz’s acquisition of Esso Ireland (M/15/020); Panda’s acquisition of Greenstar (M/16/008); and, Enva’s acquisition of Rilta (M/18/036). Paul was a member of the Ireland competition agency between 2000 and 2008 where he led on the agency’s landmark civil cases in respect of the Irish League of Credit Unions (for abuse of a dominant position) and the Beef Industry Development Society (for co-ordinated action to reduce capacity). In 2015 Paul published Modern Irish Competition Law, jointly with Philip Andrews and David McFadden. Between 2009 and 2013 Paul was a Research Professor and Programme co-ordinator for Regulation and Competition at the Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin. Subsequently he became a Research Affiliate at the Institute (2013-2018).

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Articles

914 Bulletin

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority clears, subject to a divestment remedy, an acquisition between two companies in the rental and maintenance of flat linen to customers in the healthcare and hospitality sectors (Berendsen / Kings Laundry)

8 July 2019 70

Introduction 1. On 8 July 2019 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, cleared the acquisition by Berendsen Ireland Limited (Berendsen), ultimately controlled by Elis S. A. (Elis), of Kings Laundry Limited (Kings Laundry), subject to a divestment (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Court of Appeal increases the fine imposed by the Central Criminal Court in its first bid-rigging criminal cartel case (Aston Carpets & Flooring)

20 June 2018 81

SENTENCING IN CRIMINAL BIG RIGGING IN IRELAND: THE COMMERCIAL FLOORING CARTEL* I. Introduction 1 On 20 June 2018 the Court of Appeal (the Court) in Ireland’s first bid rigging criminal cartel case increased the fine imposed by the Central Criminal Court (CCC) on Brendan Smith (Smith) from (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority clears an acquisition subject to a structural remedy in the media monitoring business (Kantar Media / Newsaccess)

11 July 2017 33

Introduction On 11 July 2017 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, cleared the acquisition by Mediawatch Limited, trading as Kantar Media (Kantar Media), an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of WPP plc (WPP), of Newsaccess Limited (Newsaccess), (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority acts to stop potentially anti-competitive conduct by private landlords (IPOA)

19 January 2017 233

Two cheers for the Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission action against potentially anti-competitive conduct by private landlords* Introduction With great alacrity Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has intervened successfully to hold the Irish (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority clears a merger subject to two behavioral remedies in the private technologically advanced hospitals market (Bon Secours / Barringtons)

21 December 2016 55

Introduction 1. On 21 December 2016 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, cleared, after an extended Phase I, the acquisition whereby Bon Secours Health System Company Limited by Guarantee (Bon Secours) would acquire sole control of Barringtons (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority clears the first otherwise anticompetitive merger using the failing firm defense (Baxter / Fannin)

21 October 2015 121

Introduction 1 On 21 October 2015 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, cleared the acquisition by Baxter Healthcare Limited (Baxter) of Fannin Compounding Limited (Fannin), a business division of Fannin Limited which was, in turn, a subsidiary (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority clears an acquisition subject to a number of structural remedies in the fuel sector (Topaz / Esso)

15 October 2015 76

Introduction 1 On 15 October 2015 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, cleared the acquisition by Topaz Investments Limited (Topaz) of Esso Ireland Limited (Esso Ireland), a wholly owned by the Exxon Mobil Corporation, subject to a number of (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority clears at phase I an asset acquisition on the basis that it does not lead to substantial lessening of competition (Blackstone / Atrium)

25 February 2015 43

Introduction 1 On 25 February 2015 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, cleared, at Phase I, the asset acquisition whereby the Blackstone Group L.P. (Blackstone), via a wholly-owned subsidiary, Atrium Office Investment Sari, would acquire Block (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority clears at phase I, an acquisition whereby an undertaking would acquire joint control with investment funds managed by affiliates (Fitzwilliam / Wittington / Apollo / Arnotts)

27 May 2014 68

Introduction 1 On 27 May 2014 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, cleared, at Phase I, the acquisition whereby Fitzwilliam Finance Partners Limited (Fitzwilliam)/Wittington Investments Limited (Wittington Canada), would acquire joint control (...)

Paul Gorecki The Irish Competition Authority clears an acquisition referred back by the European Commission in the brewery market (Heineken / B&C)

3 October 2008 42

Introduction 1 On 3 October 2008 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s competition agency, cleared the acquisition by Heineken N. V. (Heineken) of Beamish and Crawford plc (B&C) which, in turn, was owned by Scottish and Newcastle plc (S&N). It was (...)

Paul Gorecki The EU Commission clears at phase I, subject to a structural remedy, the acquisition whereby a wholly-owned subsidiary would acquire a non-destructive testing business in the electric sector (GE / GEAE)

5 December 2003 92

Introduction 1 On 5 December 2003 the European Commission (the Commission), cleared at Phase I, subject to a structural remedy, the acquisition whereby the General Electric Company (GE), via a wholly-owned subsidiary, GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE), would acquire Agfa-Gevaert’s non-destructive (...)

60 Review

Philip Andrews, Paul Gorecki, David McFadden Modern Irish Competition Law, Philipp ANDREWS, Paul GORECKI and David McFADDEN

December 2015 60

This section selects books on themes related to competition laws and economics. This compilation does not attempt to be exhaustive but rather a survey of themes important in the area. The survey usually covers publication over the last three months after publication of the latest issue of (...)