Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

It is interesting that the Minister takes his view from the chairman of the consumer strategy group, who indicated in her submission to him last July that if the groceries order was abolished, the price of food products would reduce by 9%. However, she has revised that to a reduction of 3%. Circumstances can change in a few months following a decision.

The Minister did not reply to the question whether he had been briefed on the contents of last night's programme by the Competition Authority, but I am sure he was. When was the authority first informed about an anti-competitive cartel and alleged collusion in the motor trade and what did it do about it?

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