Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I am always amazed at how governments will always back big business. The bigger the better is very true in the case of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Administration. I note Dunnes Stores is always located in the best sites in town, usually besides an urban district council office or public car park. Of course, there were never any favours done for Dunnes Stores.

There is a great need for reform of the Competition Authority. In Europe, there are examples of industrial sectors which have received heavy fines for anti-competitive and anti-consumer practices. These sectors exist in Ireland but have not been subject to any fine, let alone heavy fines. Reform in competition is also necessary in the prevention of rural depopulation. We need to prevent abuse of dominant market positions and anti-consumer practices. The existing legislation must be amended to make it effective. In other European states, legislative instruments are in place to prevent these predatory activities. The independent retailer, who produces a third of grocery business, needs to be protected. While the consumerism age is upon us, the consumer must be protected at all costs. Where large retailers will not locate in rural areas, one finds the independent retailer serving the consumer. The Government has a large role to play ensuring the independent retailer's survival.

It is also anti-competitive to deny one section of the country proper funding for balanced regional development. Compared with the low prices of Luas and the DART, getting to and from employment for people in the west by car is high. More than half of our graduates must leave to get employment elsewhere. Today, NUI Maynooth released a report on rural Ireland which spoke of the need for the proper implementation of the plans for regional development already in place. I urge the Government to include the shortfall in the capital envelope in the forthcoming Estimates. For example, a capital underspend of €200 million on transport was identified in the Indecon report of the mid-term review of the national development plan. I also call on the Government to properly implement the national spatial strategy. These are issues that must be addressed in the Estimates. The Government claims there is much to be done, but it really must be done in the west. It has been neglected so far.

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