Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We must be careful about how such investigations are progressed. The matter is with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The decision to abolish the groceries order was based on analysis undertaken by departmental officials and clear conclusions that it was an anti-competitive measure, which has no place in the modern economy. That was the motivating factor behind the decision to abolish the order. I never got into the guessing game about how much prices would reduce but the order kept prices artificially high. The Competition Act 2002 enhanced the independence of the Competition Authority and the powers and penalties that can be applied regarding transgressions of competition law.

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