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

Retail Excellence Ireland came together with the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association, NIIRTA, and created a detailed report based on surveys they carried out of retailers on both sides of the Border and tourists who had visited both jurisdictions.

They found there was the potential to generate €750 million if the tourism and shopping sectors were developed. It was not tourism or shopping particularly, but the area in which both sectors intersected. The report makes for interesting reading and one of its key findings was that a retail forum should be set up. What is the Minister's specific issue with regard to the development of an institutionalised retail forum? Can he outline his reasons for opposing such a forum?