A consultants' report commissioned by the Competition Authority has criticised what it says are anti-competitive practices in a number of leading professions in the State.
The report carried out by economic consultants Indecon came down hardest on doctors, solicitors and barristers for what it described as restrictive practices.
It claims extensive restrictions on entry apply to these professions which "have a significant and adverse impact on competition".
It also highlights the lack of price competition in some leading professions, especially that of barristers.
In some cases the report claims prices could come down by as much as 30 per cent if a number of recommendations were introduced.
The Competition Authority chairman, Dr John Fingleton, said the report provided a detailed basis for the remainder of the Authority's study.
However, he said the Authority would not be commenting on the results of the report, saying it will carefully consider the report's findings before proceeding to form its own view on how restrictions on competition identified may be best addressed.
'We have chosen to publish it today to stimulate an informed and transparent debate about the issues across a huge range of professional markets during the remainder of the study,' he said.
The study presents analyses of competition in eight professions; solicitors, barristers, medical practitioners, dentists, veterinary surgeons, optometrists, engineers and architects.
Dr Fingleton said: "We have chosen to publish it today to stimulate an informed and transparent debate about the issues across a huge range of professional markets during the remainder of the study".
