Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I do. I had the opportunity to be entertained by reading the Committee Stage debate. I had a discussion with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment yesterday and I was briefed by officials. Like every Member who represents a rural constituency, I have heard conflicting views from various people and I had the opportunity to go into detail with a number of them on the points they made and examine the issue of dominance and the history of the groceries order. The more I examined the issue and considered cases raised, the more unsatisfactory I thought was the order. It should have been addressed long ago. Taking into account the necessity to have a long-term as well as a short-term solution to a series of difficulties, the manner in which the Minister has addressed them in the Bill stands the best chance. The amendments would considerably undermine the strength of the legislation.

Deputy Howlin discussed at length the issue of the threshold of dominance but it is difficult to pin down. It would be impossible to outline in legislation that, for example, a 25% share represented dominance.

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