Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)

Yes, I appreciate that but the point remains. I appreciate a local shop does not have a €10 million turnover but it comes to the same thing. We are not asking for this burden to be placed on the local shop in any town; we are asking for it to be placed on the big retailers that we know have profiteered on the very basics that people need in their presses.

I do not accept the justifications given in the contribution of the Minister of State. I appreciate that her motivation is not in any way to undermine, but this contribution from the Government is an insult to people who are simply asking to be shown the abundance the supermarkets are taking from people in genuine need. That is all we are asking for and I do not think it is too harsh.

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