Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I would like to hear the Minister's views on this as well, although I certainly do not support Senator Coghlan in this instance. It is interesting that he has limited his amendment to grocery goods only, so that if one is not a grocer, it does not apply to one. I do not quite understand that.

Another concern I have is about the degree of envy that is evident if some successful retailer has managed to open two stores so that when he or she opens a third, in effect the figures must be disclosed. However, if the business is limited to two stores, the figures will not have to be disclosed. Perhaps the Minister will say this could always be changed to a different figure, but it seems to be most inappropriate to differentiate in this manner between large and small. One of the reasons I am sure Senator Coghlan wants to do this is to see the performances of those businesses whose headquarters are based outside Ireland. One of my problems with the groceries order, which I fear to mention lest it upsets the Minister or Senator Coghlan, is that it was not enforceable precisely because of those companies with headquarters outside this jurisdiction. It was almost impossible to determine exactly what they were paying for goods and therefore what their figures were. I believe it is not capable of being enforced and therefore I urge the Minister to give serious thought before accepting Senator Coghlan's amendment.