Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Retail Sector Report: Discussion with RGDATA

1:50 pm

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome Ms Tara Buckley, Mr. Gary Morton and Mr. Rob Murphy to the committee. Ballinrobe is a perfect example of the car parking issue, unfortunately. I was shocked to see this time last year how the town centre has gone down in direct parallel with what has happened with the multiple on the outside. The joint committee is due to visit south Mayo at the end of April and should take the opportunity to see Ballinrobe for itself. The town centre has gone down very quickly since the multiple was built. It would be a good chance for the committee to see what happens in practice.

Can the levy proposed on out-of-town outlets be made retrospective? I know there are all sorts of issues around upwards-only rent reviews and constitutional rights. If we were to say in the morning that we support the levy, can it be put on the development in Ballinrobe? Is it legally proofed?

The black market and licensing were mentioned. The Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy John Perry, is announcing a review of retail licensing. Has RGDATA been consulted on that to date? It was mentioned that approximately 20% of all diesel sold is illegal. One of the difficulties for motorists is that they do not know anymore. One hopes one is buying legitimate fuel when shopping at one of the large, branded fuel retailers, but how does one know? Would RGDATA get involved with its industry partners in an awareness campaign on what to look for when buying fuel which may be illegal? As well as being illegal, it is bad for one's car.

I have a beef about casual trading in Ireland. We go to the market when we are on holiday. It is an attraction and seems to benefit everyone. Here, it is a nightmare. Why is it the way it is here and a completely different experience abroad? Has RGDATA worked with its European partners to find ways to enhance trading here in a way that helps everybody?

Will the witnesses talk the committee members through the practical difficulties surrounding the retail joint labour committee, although I am familiar with it? There is eating in and eating out, Sunday issues, matters of age and qualification. It would be no harm for the committee members to get their heads around being a business person and having to operate in such a process on the ground.

On the banking side, will the witnesses indicate what the organisation's members have experienced with banking issues in the past few months in particular? Has there been any improvement in dealing with the so-called pillar banks? What are the views on new banking practices relating to coin deposits and coinage around the country?