Madam, - Well done to the Competition Authority for its decision to carry out a thorough investigation of the attempt by the Dutch- owned Heineken brewery to take over its main competitor, Beamish Crawford.
Heineken has been trying now for the past six months to take out the Beamish brewery and its brands. For the first time we are seeing the Irish Competition Authority showing its teeth.
Of course this deal should be blocked because it's not good for consumer choice, and it's not good for competition. Heineken staff, unions, customers and suppliers will soon realise also that a takeover will not only see the Beamish brewery being closed, but may well also lead to the closure of the Heineken brewery in Cork, with all production contracted out to the new Diageo brewery being built outside Dublin.
- Yours, etc,
SÉAMUS O'CONNELL, Glenheights Road, Ballyvolane, Cork.