Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions to the debate on this Bill. Yesterday's Second Stage debate was wide ranging in the classic Seanad manner. There was even an exotic intervention with regard to concerns on the demise of bakers in rural France, a matter which we may investigate some day.

This legislation is about bringing greater competition to the domestic economy which, according to analyses of the challenges facing Ireland in the future, is far less productive than the foreign direct investment sector. In that broader context and if we are to remain competitive, it is imperative that we introduce greater competition to domestic markets. Productivity will be the key to that competitiveness.

The specific provisions made in the legislation will be of benefit to consumers. Above all others, the statistic that reveals the degree to which food prices have increased in Ireland stands out of the report. Over the past few years, prices have become three times higher than is the case in Britain and twice the European Union average. It is my contention that the groceries order kept prices artificially high and, if it was allowed to remain on the Statute Book, would continue to do so. That is why we are bringing forward this legislation to remove the order, while also providing protections in terms of prohibiting behaviour that will be unacceptable to all concerned if allowed to continue in an unfettered manner.