Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Senator Regan's important and worthwhile proposal for a rolling debate on the implications of our rejection of the Lisbon treaty has received support from Members on all sides of the House. Senator Ross drew our attention to the article in today's Financial Times. The French have just realised that, as many of us knew, tax harmonisation was never a runner. It is good to see the French acknowledge that publicly, and I thank the Senator for bringing it to our attention.

I am delighted Senator Regan raised the issue of grocery prices. It is disgraceful that prices are 30% more expensive in the Republic than in the North, as has been proved by the survey carried out by the National Consumer Agency. All the agency could say about the issue was that the price differentials are inexplicable. Of course they are. As I said yesterday, however, the agency is something of a toothless wonder. What is it going to do about it? Senator Regan is probably correct in calling for the Competition Authority to get involved.

The Leader probably would agree that the abolition of the groceries order was a disastrous error. The committee of the last Parliament that was chaired by the Leader and of which I was a member unanimously recommended against its abolition. The only price it reduced was the price of booze. Senator Hannigan is probably accurate with regard to cosy cartels. Price matching is taking place. We have allowed the large players to corner the market and that is limiting choice. Look at what it has done to prices. I strongly agree that the House should call for the Competition Authority to examine this issue. The Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, was right when he spoke to the Tánaiste about calling in the National Consumer Agency, but I doubt it will achieve anything. The Competition Authority is needed to seriously examine the situation.

I support Senator O'Toole's comments about the insurance industry. We have a vested interest in keeping insurance premia down. Much valuable work was done on this issue by the committee I mentioned earlier and we do not wish to throw it away or lose it. That is another matter on which we must be watchful.