Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

That is certainly a vindication of the Minister's stand in that regard.

There is great competition among retailers. All the major retailers, including Dunnes Stores and Tesco, are in my home town of Roscommon. All the local shops are still competing very effectively against the multinationals. When the ban on below cost selling was removed, I was concerned it could put them in jeopardy but that has not been the case. It has not been brought to my attention, although Senator Coghlan may have found otherwise. The drop in the cost of products to the consumer, as indicated by information from the Department, has vindicated the Minister's stand in that regard.

I am anxious the Bill is passed as quickly as possible and that is why I do not wish to spend much time discussing all the details. The Minister outlined the facts and figures in great detail. Everyone must be particularly vigilant as far as consumers and prices are concerned. While there is good competition, I highlighted the cost of petrol at various filling stations in Dublin. The display of prices outside filling stations was brought in by a previous Administration and it has been very worthwhile. People can see the cost of diesel, petrol and unleaded petrol and they can drive around to get better prices. The consumer agency will have to monitor the situation in regard to price fixing. It is no coincidence that if the price of a litre of petrol is 99.9 cent in one filling station, it is the same price in all filling stations in a town. Few companies will buck the system. It may not be price fixing as such but the filling stations keep to the same price.