Seanad debates

Thursday, 19 June 2008

10:30 am

Photo of Eugene ReganEugene Regan (Fine Gael)

The lack of competition among supermarkets in this country is also highlighted by the fact that the prices of 22 grocery items at Tesco and Dunnes Stores were found to be identical. Section 4 of the Competition Act 2002 specifically declares agreements or concerted practices between undertakings to be illegal. The response of Government, which was to suggest that people should shop around to get better value in supermarkets, is inadequate. I ask the Leader to address this question to the Minister. The Competition Authority should be asked to investigate these price issues. It is of fundamental importance in controlling prices and inflation in this country that we do not have this type of cheating of consumers. The reality is that this is a criminal offence under the Competition Act. The Competition Authority should investigate whether there is profiteering by supermarkets in the Republic of Ireland and what measures should be adopted to deal with it.

The report of the European Environment Agency covering Ireland's progress in meeting its Kyoto carbon emission targets has been published. The reality is that the relevant Ministers, Deputy John Gormley and Deputy Eamon Ryan, have indicated that they have taken measures on motor tax and vehicle registration tax, etc. Our climate change strategy provides for a 3% reduction each year but, on the basis of current policies, those targets are not being and will not be achieved. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government must outline what steps are being taken to realistically enable Ireland to meet these targets. The progress made has been unsatisfactory and to say that the Ministers are only in power for one year is not an acceptable response. I ask that the Leader to address that question to the two Ministers.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.