Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I rise to support amendment No. 1 in the name of Deputy Howlin, but my opposition to the Bill remains as firm as it was at the outset. I have no intention of rehashing the committee debate, but the Minister appeared to sit on the fence on this issue. After resisting pressure from lobbyists representing big business, when the RTE programme by Eddie Hobbs came along the Government fell into the lap of big business. This Bill will have a disastrous effect on small retailers across the land. It is most unfortunate that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has caved in to pressure from the likes of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation. The Bill will in no way enhance the services that the people of this State receive, so my opposition to the Bill remains.

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