Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I hope Senator Leyden will support the call to bring the Competition Authority before the Join Committee on Enterprise and Small Business. The number of petrol stations is decreasing but this sale will lead to an even fewer number, thus providing motorists with less choice, less competition and, ultimately, higher prices. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment should investigate this matter immediately and ensure that there will be no repeat of it so that the public interest will not suffer again. This episode does not inspire any confidence among consumers that there is a watchdog protecting their interests. Consumers have suffered and it looks like they will suffer more because there is no regard for them.