Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

It is important to state that restrictions on predatory pricing are not being removed by this legislation but strengthened. The first effect of the amendment would be that the same price would be charged in all shops operated by a retailer nationwide. It would impose a national pricing policy, clearly creating some difficulties in local markets. It would distort and prevent competition there, something entirely undesirable in the context of what we are trying to achieve. We are not in the business of creating a national market in groceries. It would be both anti-consumer and anti-competitive.

As Deputy Hogan said, we had a long debate on this yesterday, and the same issues arise regarding this amendment's impact as would arise in the case of the others. I do not want to go over all that again, but enforcement would be very difficult too, creating a large number of issues not provided for. It would certainly not have the effect of improving the situation from the consumer's perspective.

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