Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support the previous speakers on the consumer strategy report. Its contents appeared in the Irish Independent some weeks ago and have been elaborated in more detail in The Irish Times today. It contains many recommendations of various strategies that should be deployed to bring down prices and to be pro-consumer. It suggests the appointment of an enforcer for the consumer area. I fully support the statements made by Senator O'Toole. It would be most remiss if we did not have an enforcer due to lack of resources in the Department of Finance. We already have several regulators such as ComReg and the energy regulator. This approach has greater validity than ever.

Deputy Martin's tenure as Minister in the Department of Health and Children will be remembered best for the smoking ban, if nothing else. If he wants a challenge and wishes to take on a particular issue as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, this document provides him with a very good touchstone from which to work for the next few years. Much of the emphasis and focus in the report will be on the groceries order. I wish to make it plain that like most rural people, I would be extremely concerned if the ban on below cost sales was ended. It could have a profound impact on many businesses. The ban was introduced during the collapse of the H. Williams group back in the early 1980s. It has as much validity today as it had then.

I ask the Acting Leader to arrange for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, to come into this House to discuss both consumer issues and competition in general. He is a new Minister in the Department and I would be very interested to establish his intentions over the next two years.