Mr. Frank Gleeson:

From the perspective of a retailer, I am not in favour of more regulation because it is anti-business and anti-small-business in particular. However, I would favour the introduction of the EU voluntary code as a first measure. It it does not work then it could be put on a statutory footing. It is a European code of practice which has been debated at length. It certainly looks like a modern piece of code writing that would be beneficial to European suppliers and businesses and to Irish businesses and suppliers.

Perhaps a better public relations job is needed. Some of the suppliers are very powerful in the market and as a representative of independent retailers we have little choice in some of the products carried by our members. Some big retailers have a lot of power too.

The consumer makes the decision on where to shop. If consumers do not get the right products and the right prices, or if they believe they are not getting the Irish products they want, they will vote with their feet. The consumer makes the decision, ultimately, as to whether a retailer stocks a product. The consumer is the person who decides where the business goes. This has been demonstrated many times. Many of the independent retailers who spoke earlier have a point of difference from a big multiple because they carry local produce. In my view that is a good policy. They are able to do something different. If Irish consumers want to shop there, they will do so. Big multiples do their business their way. As a practising retailer and a supplier into the retail trade, in my view, it is not a case of one shoe fits all.