Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 6, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:

"(5) For the purposes of this section, the cost to the retailer of the grocery goods shall be calculated inclusive of all discounts, rebates or other allowances received by the retailer on the supply of the goods.".

We had a good discussion on this on Committee Stage. Retailers, particularly multiples, could have a restriction of offer to eliminate the competition. They would have a supply of goods by quota in a community or locality to stymie the chance of their being available nationally. It should be available nationally and not simply in a small geographical area or community with the intention of engaging in predatory pricing and putting the competition out of business, particularly when safeguards are now being removed, allowing multiples to do as they wish without restriction or quota. Perhaps the Minister of State might comment on that and state how he can prevent the situation from arising where a multiple puts the competition out of business in a given locality without having the same offer available to all consumers nationally.

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