Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

In fairness, I have outlined a substantial range of actions that are being undertaken. I know they are appreciated. We are a lot of the costs for for the sector also. In addition, we will carry much of the cost to allow them to promote abroad, including attending some trade shows. I acknowledge the direct role played by the Tánaiste on Sunday trading, after much discussion with myself. There is no doubt that it was a major issue and a major move forward has been made. I agree with the Deputy that it is not sustainable that Sunday trading would incur an extra cost. We have all moved to a seven-day week, so we will have to renegotiate this across the entire workforce to remain competitive. It will have to come to the next step, and I hope that by negotiation in the near future it will be seen as a normal rotation of whatever constitutes a 40-hour week. That is the way it has to be.

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