Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I propose to share time with Deputy Lynch.

I welcome the opportunity this debate presents to discuss the structure of competition in the economy. This debate has rambled well beyond the narrow confines of the Competition Authority, which is good. It is important to examine how Ireland is currently operating from the consumers' perspective.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, is entirely dislocated from the views of ordinary people. The Fianna Fáil press office must be keeping its focus groups from him and he cannot be in the inner core. The mood of people is one of intense anger. The people feel they are being ripped off by stealth taxes and increased charges. They feel the official rate of inflation is fiction, as people can see in their daily cost of living that despite a healthy economy and good wages, their money is being eroded. At least taxes were overt when Ministers for Finance declared a certain rate of tax and people knew the lie of the land. Now taxes are being imposed stealthily, which is difficult for people to get a grip on.

It is not good enough for the former Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, to speak of getting on one's bicycle and shopping around. This may be feasible for some but if one is in a car sheltering from pouring rain, for example, and running between appointments or trying to collect children, one cannot do an inventory of various petrol stations to find the cheapest. It would be well and good if one was in a State car and not have to be aware of the cost of petrol.

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