John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am not trying to state everything will become a virtual buying space, far from it, because there is the concept, particularly at present, of a shopping experience, which is why there are nice high streets and civic spaces. The hours people work now are different, such as 12-hour shifts, and the last thing they want to do is go out and buy something. This is the changing nature of the work experience. It is no longer 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and apart from institutional types of work, new modern work is flexible. I understand what the witnesses have stated about other issues, such as the class A stamp, but these can be addressed. The changing shape of work patterns of people will not be addressed as such. It will constantly evolve and while I am not saying everybody will do so, a larger amount of people in the service sector will be able to work from home.

To give a practical example, the last thing I want to do on a Sunday, if I have worked six days, is go out and look for pendant lamps. That is not a shopping experience; it is a necessity so to speak because it is something I want to get done. Many people are in this category. The witnesses are stating that if we get everything else sorted, not as many people will want to go online. This sounds like resistance from the organisation or its members, that it will be dealt with on another day because it is a tough one and that there is also an issue with computer literacy among members. I accept this, but the witnesses mentioned easier targets which the Government can change. I am speaking about the changing face of retail. A local supplier can become a global supplier quite quickly if it is effective. I am not stating they all will, but I get the sense of people being dragged into the 21st century rather than embracing it and embracing technology and changing work patterns. I am sorry but this is the sense I get.