recently revealed that it had begun investigating possible anticompetitive practices in data centre construction in the bloc, alongside local antitrust law authorities. The inquiry is focused on deals between companies not to poach each other’s staff. recently raided the premises of building group, Sisk in Citywest, Dublin and at least one other business in the capital as part of this probe.
The European Commission did not comment on which Irish companies it raided, nor on where they took place, but noted that it had confirmed that it was investigating data centre construction. The commission suspects businesses in that industry could have violated EU competition by colluding on “no-poach” agreements – illegal deals in which companies agree not to hire or pursue each other’s employees.
European and Irish competition law enforcers have wide-ranging powers to inspect or raid business premises and to take equipment, including computers, laptops and phones that may contain evidence.