Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I appreciate that the Taoiseach does not condone it but we have a situation where, particularly in the grocery sector, a couple of very large supermarket multiples are dominating the market. They are using that dominance to adopt all types of unfair practices against suppliers. The Taoiseach is correct that it is difficult to get proof. Suppliers are afraid to tell what they know about what is happening because they are afraid their produce will simply not be stocked, which is not an option in these times. The Tánaiste, in reply to my question about this last Thursday, said a draft code of practice has been in her Department for some time. I understand it is her intention to implement that code of practice but not on a statutory basis. That will not do the trick. This must be dealt with in a very forceful way.

The other issue I wish to raise is the position of the Law Reform Commission. On the last occasion that he replied to these questions the Taoiseach referred to the work being done by the commission in respect of a programme of statute law restatement. The an bord snip nua report recommended the abolition of the Law Reform Commission. What is the Government's position with regard to the commission? Is it intended to abolish it? What is its intended future? I note that the chairperson of the commission was recently re-appointed for a 12-month period. What is the long-term intention regarding the Law Reform Commission?

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