Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The renewed programme for Government contains a commitment to "implement a code of practice for doing business in the grocery goods sector to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the code and, if necessary, to put in place a mandatory code".

The Government will give effect to this commitment by including a provision in the legislation, currently being prepared by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, which will allow for the introduction of a statutory code of conduct in the grocery goods sector. The Minister expects to publish this legislation early in 2011.

In the interim period, until the legislation is enacted, the opportunity is being taken to explore with stakeholders the possibilities of agreeing a voluntary code. To this end, the Minister appointed Mr. John Travers to facilitate discussions with stakeholders on drawing up of a voluntary code. Mr. Travers is currently engaging with the relevant stakeholders on the development of a voluntary code. It is expected that Mr. Travers will report back to the Minister on his efforts in the coming weeks. My Department and the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation will continue to consult closely on this issue.

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