Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to arrange at the earliest opportunity a detailed debate in this regard. Along with Finland, Ireland now has the highest prices in the euro zone, which is some record for a country of our size. Our prices are higher than those in Italy, France or any of those high price countries.

I draw the Leader's attention to the serious allegation that Tesco has pressurised vegetable producers in north County Dublin to deny supply to the low cost companies Aldi and Lidl. This matter should be raised with the Competition Authority. Pressure should not be placed on suppliers to these low cost companies, which do not offer enough Irish goods on their shelves. In fact, they import most of their goods. If they are trying to buy Irish goods, they should be encouraged and not be threatened through some type of mafia operation to prevent them supplying the Aldi or Lidl supermarkets. Those companies have a 7% share.