Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The budget contained a proposal on merging the National Consumer Agency, NCA, and the Competition Authority, an important issue in the context of the euro-sterling price differential and shopping in the North versus the South. I understand that such a merger would require legislation. Has the legislation's preparation commenced and when is it likely to be before the House?

Yesterday, the Tánaiste was quoted by newspapers to the effect that she was considering legislation in the context of North-South pricing issues. Is this the case and, if so, would she care to tell the House what the legislation might be?

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