Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the gentlemen for an interesting discussion.

One of the points made by the previous contributor was that if a code was to be applied, it should apply to suppliers and retailers because dominance worked in two ways. Large suppliers can hold a dominant position over small retailers, as can large retailers. It is not true to say there is no dealing with and no direct purchasing from the primary producer. In the one area in which there has been a significant decline - fruit and vegetables - there are and have been direct purchasing arrangements between the suppliers of potatoes and vegetables and the multiple retail outlets and purchasing groups.

The forthcoming consumer and competition Bill will have to include an enabling provision to allow the Minister, no matter what else happens, to move to a statutory position very quickly. That has to be the basic minimum in the Bill. Otherwise we would be simply closing the door and saying we had done our business. We would then have to introduce new legislation to do it. The legislation has to provide for the enactment of statutory codes under a statutory instrument, a regulation from a Minister, if the evidence is available. I do not think anyone else should be afforded protection or allowed to take comfort from the idea that new legislation would not allow for this. It would be a huge mistake. That is a personal opinion and I will make that point on Second Stage of the Bill.

I thank the delegates and committee members for attending. This is an ongoing issue. The multiples will be meeting the committee and we have received requests from other representative organisations to come before us too. All of the meetings will be held in public. People are welcome to attend and be present in the Visitors' Gallery or read the Official Report afterwards.