The failure to recognise the importance of competition policy and the non- traded sector in economic development has contributed to a situation in Ireland in which the implementation of an activist competition policy has proceeded at a slower pace than is required. This pace has been supported by the implicit acceptance of the proposal that the adoption of an activist industrial policy creates employment while the adoption of an activist competition policy destroys employment. This paper attempts to correct this gross misconception; the adoption of an activist competition policy in the non-traded sector would increase, rather than decrease, total employment.
