The Competition Authority was urged yesterday to conclude an investigation into prices in the construction industry. The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) claimed the dominant players in the industry had moved in unison to increase prices by an average of 2.5 per cent.

It said the general hike in prices had previously occurred this time last year, after which ISME registered its concern with the Competition Authority.

Initial meetings between the authority and ISME took place and an investigation was promised, the association said. However, the authority had not yet reported on its findings.

ISME said it had yesterday submitted the "latest evidence of possible monopoly practice" to the authority and urged it to complete its investigation.