Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Last week, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Micheál Martin, accepted that the abolition of the groceries order has not resulted in a reduction in the price of groceries. Members will be aware that the abolition was effected following promises from the Competition Authority and the likes of Eddie Hobbs and a few others that consumers would each save up to €1,000 per annum. Such claims have now proven to be bogus and without foundation. The Minister did not associate himself with such promises but, unfortunately, he acted as a ringmaster in a circus charade to get rid of the important legislation.

The legislation helped to regulate the relationship between large retailers and suppliers. Sadly, I have heard accounts from suppliers that "hello money" has been reintroduced. The practice of demanding "hello money" was banned and there is now talk that it is featuring again. Suppliers are being forced to pay rental for shelf space in shops, which is wrong. I would like to hear the views of the Minister on this because the train has gone off the rails. The only effect of the abolition of the groceries order is the reduction in the price of alcohol. As we know, alcohol is being used as a loss leader and is being sold below cost, thereby leading to a lack of competition. This is having disastrous effects and I would like to hear from the Leader in this regard.

I also strongly support the call by Senator O'Toole to strengthen the powers of Mr. Paul Appleby, the Director of Corporate Enforcement, who I understand spoke again yesterday about the disqualification of directors in certain instances where they had proved to have acted with price-sensitive information, in other words, to have participated actively in insider trading. There is something wrong if there were findings of the courts and there are still persons against whom a sanction cannot be imposed where it should be. In so far as we can, I support that call to strengthen the powers, if necessary, of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. I join in the request to have the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy McGuinness, come into the House and have a debate on the matter.