Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

At the heart of the Bill and the Government's approach should be the prevention of abuse of supplier power and buyer power within the market. Different sections of buyers and suppliers need to be able to engage commercially in a fair manner with their counterparts. I have in mind small convenience stores and so on that engage with an oligopoly in the provision of newspapers. It is difficult for them to engage on the prices and conditions under their contracts. If they were able to communicate, negotiate or even discuss the matter as a representative group, though, they would probably create a more equal commercial relationship. Competition between buyers and an oligopoly of suppliers creates an unequal and unfair negotiations base.

In Australia, provision is made for representative groups to negotiate on behalf of their organisations. As long as such groups in Ireland do not abuse their buyer power, which is something that can be controlled, I do not know why the Minister will not allow them some space.