Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

Senators will be aware that the Restrictive Prices (Groceries) Order 1987 was one of the issues considered by the consumer strategy group and was the subject of recent deliberations before the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, as to the merits or otherwise of the order in managing grocery prices. In any event, all arguments as regards the groceries order will be considered by the Government before any action is decided on. All interested parties will be invited to submit their views as part of the national consultative process. I understand some parties have interpreted the provision to increase fines for breaches of the groceries order as a signal of some type about the future of the order. This is not the case.

What we are seeking to do in sections 68 to 74, inclusive, is to bring outdated fines for breaches of consumer protection legislation up to date. As long as legislation is on the Statute Book, there is an onus on Government to keep it relevant and up to date. It would not be appropriate to neglect this particular provision because it happens to be the subject of public debate at this time.

What the Senator is asking about is outlined in the consumer protection legislation.