Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This provision with regard to groceries has a long history in the House. There was a commitment in the programme for Government in relation to grocery goods. There was public consultation on grocery goods. The approach that needs to be taken in respect of this is that one allows bodies to submit their views and that these views get a proper airing. That has happened in respect of the grocery goods sector. This committee has conducted a number of investigations, as has the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This ground has been well trodden. There has been a general consensus across the political parties that something needed to be done in this area. Clearly, if the committee identifies or if there is a general view that there are other areas of difficulty in the supply chain, we will look at that and take advice from the competition and consumer protection commission and from players. This has a long history in the Oireachtas and as a consequence was included in the programme for Government. I undertook consultation with the grocery goods sector. I am not saying that public concern cannot arise in another area. There was a very clear reason for this.

Let me add, while I am in possession, that I am considering some further refinement, definitions and amendments to some provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2007, and I may revert on Report Stage to Part 5.