Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mandate made the call for the establishment of a task force on the future of retail as a matter of urgency following the loss of 500 jobs in The Carphone Warehouse. It followed the loss of jobs in Topman and Topshop and across the Arcadia Group. It happened after the loss of jobs in Debenhams and the disgraceful carry-on by the company in that regard. The need for this task force is apparent by the very nature of the difficulties that face the sector. There is a future for retail, but we must work out what that is and how it will work. That is why the task force that Mandate has called for is so urgent.

There is no doubt that there are changes in the retail landscape and they pose challenges. Online shopping is here, and it is enjoyed by many, but that cannot mean the end of traditional retail in towns, cities and villages. The Government must stop using the changing retail landscape as an excuse to do nothing to secure the future of the sector. It is really disheartening every time retail and job losses in particular are raised that some in government-----

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