Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

In this time of sharp economic downturn I agree with the comments of my colleague, Senator Fitzgerald. There is great shock on the wide price gulf between North and South. I refer to basic foodstuffs, for which the supermarket giants charge double in the South. All our National Consumer Agency says to the people is "shop around" while it conducts surveys. I wonder if it is a toothless wonder. The euro has gained in value and there are other factors in our favour, yet nothing has been passed on for consumers in the South. In our part of the country we seem to have price matching rather than price reduction. Much of the blame can be laid at the Government's door because of the removal of the groceries order. We have no price control. There is a strong argument for its reintroduction, perhaps in modified form, to protect the weaker sections of our community and to protect all those on low wages who will be affected more because of the recession we are in. These are the people we should move to protect. I would like the Leader at an early juncture to arrange for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House for a debate. I would like to hear in a concrete way what the National Consumer Agency is doing about this.

I look forward to the debate on the Lisbon treaty. What all Senators seem to be saying is that winning the vote does not guarantee ultimate success. Of course, we live in a changing society and the arguments are already shifting. In line with all other speakers, I believe the analysis of the consequences are hugely important for us.

On another issue to which I referred some weeks ago, will the Leader provide for a debate on the local electoral area changes announced yesterday, perhaps in conjunction with the constituency boundary changes? We still do not have that Bill.