Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Inflation is coming down, and in fact deflation is a possible problem. We certainly do not want that to happen because it would be an utter disaster for the economy. We must talk up the economy, because talking up prices, when we are approaching deflation and prices are not increasing, is actually good for the economy provided it is moderated to an extent. The Government amendment mentions job creation, prudent management of the economy, taxation issues, inflation, the strategy for science, technology and innovation, the national skills strategy, the national development plan, and the Commission for Energy Regulation — a gamut of issues.

Another of the items mentioned is cross-Border shopping. This is a difficult issue for traders in County Meath and in the town of Drogheda near where I live. However, it is also a difficult issue for the people who are travelling across the Border to shop. I must say on their behalf that in difficult economic times I cannot blame them for looking for better prices. However, they must bear in mind when they do so the negative consequences for the local economy arising from the legitimate choice they make to shop in the North, in Newry or wherever. They should also look around their own areas. I am glad to see in my local supermarkets and shops unprecedented bargains which people would see if only they would look. We as politicians, with our chambers of commerce, can get the message out that stock is reduced in clothes shops, hardware shops and electrical shops across the board. There are two boxes of cereal for the price of one or two boxes of Christmas biscuits for the price of one in various supermarkets.

That is the message we have to get across — that it is worth people's while to shop in their local area. We should not give out to them or criticise them because it is a difficult choice for them to make and I do not think they want to make it. We must make it attractive for them to shop in their own areas. Certainly, in my constituency, shops are making the effort. They are seeing the threat from the competition and they are moving forward on that basis. However, it is difficult for them, particularly with sterling hitting new lows this morning. This is good for cross-Border shops but not very good for the overall economy in the UK. We must encourage shoppers to see the value in their own areas and to shop there, because it does have an impact. While I recognise their right to shop in the North and the difficulties they are facing, they must bear in mind the consequences for the economy, for jobs and for their own families.

I commend the Government on its handling of the economy. We are facing difficult challenges we can only deal with in an international context. We need to consider the broader issues and not what is at this point the irrelevant issue of inflation, which the irrelevant Opposition has put forward as the main subject of its motion.

See this speech in context