Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)

It sounds like the CCPC is extremely busy. I thank the witnesses for all the work they are doing. I have two parts to my questions, so the witnesses can decide who will take which part. Of the five cases that Mr. McHugh mentioned as breaching the pricing directive, what percentage of the products were in breach? I represent small businesses and worry that we are going after the low-hanging fruit at a time when they are really struggling. I am talking here about retailers. How is the CCPC finding the products that are in breach? Is it online and trawling through retailers' websites or is it calling into shops? I have only recently been learning about the directive in respect of pricing. My understanding is that it is difficult for retailers. We have the black Friday sales coming up at the end of November. Many such sales have started earlier because shops must wait 30 for days before they can reduce the price of an item.

I have been made aware of a situation whereby one company was brought to court when three items out of 6,000 stock-keeping units, SKUs, breached the pricing directive. The value of the items was €250 in total. The company received a letter inviting it to a voluntary meeting to which it could bring a solicitor. This company and others had the same experience and found it a very serious meeting. The cost of the process to them was approximately €70,000. We can appreciate that that is a very high cost for retailers at this time. I want to protect consumers and ensure we are paying the right price for stuff. Should we be considering mediation or trying to cut down on some of these costs for retailers?

I will raise the issue of insurance. Despite many reforms by the previous Government, no new underwriters have arrived in the liability market in over ten years. That is from the CCPC's 2020 review. There is very limited competition in many sectors, particularly leisure, meaning no downward pressure on premiums. Is the CCPC satisfied that all the recommendations from its previous review, which took place in 2019, were implemented? Has it formally assessed that? Should the CCPC carry out a further review of the public liability market after the introduction of some great reforms in recent years, such as the personal injury guidelines and the duty of care?

My business is in that market whereby I can only get insurance if I am a part of a group scheme. In fact, according to the Alliance for Insurance Reform, 15% to 20% of businesses report only one insurer willing to provide cover. Should we now be looking for a review of the liability and broker market, including barriers to entry?