Two decisions to begin criminal proceedings were made in 2002 as part of an increase in its investigative activity, the Competition Authority reported today.
In its annual report outlining the authority's work last year it said its staff had increased in number from 25 to 36, with new forensic investigative expertise.
These improved powers would strengthen the authority's ability to "champion domestic competition and ensure markets work well for consumers and business".
Among its successes for the year the authority said its legislative work had led to 56 summonses and 18 searches.
It also noted in its survey as part of its achievements a decision by Tesco supermarkets not to fix milk prices; the non-withdrawal of services by pharmacists and an undertaking by the Joint National Readership Research Survey to include foreign publications.
The report spans two periods, the first under the old competition law and the second under the Competition Act 2002.
Key changes in the Competition Act 2002 are the definition of a cartel offence and an increase in sanctions from two to five years.