Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I support the call of Senator Brian Hayes to allow at least one hour extra for the debate in Private Members' time. The proposed amendment tonight looks like a bit of a subterfuge. There is no mention of fees and it does not address the subject matter of the motion. It talks about noting commitments in An Agreed Programme for Government, but that programme makes absolutely no mention of fees or their re-introduction.

The Leader was good enough to respond yesterday to my request. I know she did not intend to make an inaccurate response but the Tánaiste in fact mentioned the subject of my request, the groceries order and the removal of the ban on below-cost selling. As stated by the Leader, the Tánaiste also mentioned the retail planning guidelines. That will be a matter for another Minister. In the other House yesterday the Taoiseach said clearly in a one sentence response to a question that the Government has no proposals to amend the groceries order and I am very heartened to hear that. However, I was informed by a Member that in a written answer to a parliamentary question in the other House yesterday the Tánaiste said that she is giving consideration to its repeal. I heard about her answer only this morning because I was attending a meeting of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. When does the Leader anticipate we might hear the Government speaking in unison on this important matter?