Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I appreciate the Minister's response to Senator Coghlan's proposal and I believe the idea of the good practice provider quality mark should be encouraged and taken into account.

Senator Coghlan's amendment states: "The Director shall not be limited by national or currency boundaries in carrying out a price survey". It has concerned me in the past that taxes that apply in Ireland and that do not apply elsewhere, on alcohol and so on, give the impression that the retailer is overcharging. I am sure there is no easy way in law to have attention drawn to the fact that such price differences are due to taxes imposed by the State. When considering Senator Coghlan's amendment, could the Minister find a way to relieve the concerns of those who feel aggrieved when there is publicity relating to perceived overcharging by retailers when very often such overcharging occurs due to a Government tax? I am not suggesting this could be included in the amendment but it could be taken into account.