Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I started in business in the 1960s. In those days there was the concept of resale price maintenance. The objective was to protect the trader, whether big or small, and the customer lost out. I am beginning to hear sounds from the group to the effect that it wants to go back to protecting itself against the interests of the customer, which I think from the point of view of the economy I think would be a huge mistake. Some of the figures provided are very interesting. The prices between Northern Ireland and the Republic are dramatic and such a gap cannot be in the interests of the Minister for Finance because we must be losing out to a considerable extent on that basis. Lower prices are wanted by the consumer. I am in favour of below-cost selling and I am an enthusiast, whether for alcohol or whatever else. I recall selling Zip firelighters below cost. Another time it applied to bread and there were howls from the bakeries. When it applied to milk, there were howls from the dairies. It appears that whenever someone is selling at a low price, the only people who do not howl are consumers. We live in a market economy, in which I am a great believer. This morning I attended a lecture in Dublin Castle given by a representative from the Competition Authority. He talked about the various efforts being made by different groups which were illegal where, even by accident, one colluded to ensure the price of one product increased. I suggest one is almost in danger of doing something like this when one argues for a ban on below-cost selling. I am not showing sympathy to the delegates. I actually believe sympathy has to lie with the consumer. If the consumer wants lower prices, he or she will go to a particular outlet. If he or she gets a better service - I know from Mr. McCabe's business that one gets a considerably better service there than in the supermarkets - on that basis he or she has to make the decision as to whether he or she wants lower prices or a better service. The successful retailer will be the one who manages to get the balance right. I am not sympathetic to the movement to increase prices because as soon as alcohol prices go up to a fixed level, the same will apply to bread, milk and everything else. I am perhaps acting as the only voice for consumers as I have not heard any other voice representing them.