Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I note the confirmation that prices are 30% higher here than in Northern Ireland in the same supermarket chains. It is very serious that it is 30% dearer to shop in a Dunnes or a Tesco in the Republic than it is in Northern Ireland. The advantage of the strong euro has not been passed on to consumers in the South and that is also very serious. Hard-pressed consumers are voting with their feet and travelling to the North to shop. I am very conscious of that coming from County Cavan. There is a constant stream of shoppers travelling across the Border to Northern Ireland from counties Cavan, Louth, Monaghan and Donegal. I appeal to the Leader to take up this urgent matter.

As Senator Regan pointed out, section 4 of the Competition Act declares price fixing by cartels to be illegal and criminalises it under section 6. If necessary, we must invoke that legislation. The role of the Competition Authority must be examined also. All pricing authorities in the country must be brought to bear on this extremely serious issue. It is especially serious for small shopkeepers and people who are trying to make a living in the Border counties that the people who are usually their customers are streaming to Northern Ireland to do their shopping. Something needs to be done about it. I call on the Leader to arrange an urgent debate on the matter.

ESB bills have increased by 30% and fuel has risen by 60% in recent years. When all the increases are combined it is evident that inflation is rampant. Controlling inflation is the key to economic management and for that reason we need to have a serious debate on the issue, not just an aspirational debate but one in which we would find out specifically what can be done by the Competition Authority and the relevant Minister. I appeal for such a debate to take place.

I welcome the extension of the session by a week. It is important that debate takes place on important issues. I congratulate the Leader on that. It is equally important that we have a discussion on carbon emissions, and the fact that we are 12.5%, or one-eighth, over our target. We are not reaching our Kyoto Agreement targets, which in the first instance were generous to Ireland. We are making marginal progress. An audit is required to ascertain the position and what practical steps are necessary for us to take. I call on the Leader to have a focused, practical, solution-driven debate. In the face of both rampant inflation and the carbon emissions, we have done the aspirational bit. We have made the speeches and set out the stalls. We now need action, results, specific targets and a programme of activities. I appeal to the Leader, who may be a future Minister, to call in the relevant Minister and get results here. I am sure after my last remarks he will.