Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister and his officials and commend them on the speed with which they brought forward this legislation. It was promised a few months ago, is already before this House and will hopefully be passed before the Christmas recess.

The aim of the Bill is to revoke the 1987 groceries order and to strengthen certain elements of the existing Competition Act so as to prevent unfair trading practices in the grocery trade. The decision to revoke the anti-competitive groceries order will save the average household almost €500 per year.