Alex White (Labour)

I reiterate my call yesterday for the framework document to be tabled before both Houses. It is not sustainable for the Government to say these matters will come to the Houses next week because, as Senator O'Toole suggested, we will have then essentially a fait accompli. We will not have serious input into an agreement, which, as the Senator rightly said, which is the subject of agreement by the social partners. There is no question of this Government, given the way it treats the Houses, being prepared to countenance the unpicking of an agreement it reaches this week with the social partners. I agree the question of negotiating through the social partners is vital but there is no reason that should exclude a political input along the lines suggested. Will the Leader address this issue because he did not do so yesterday? He addressed many issues relating to the economy but he did not address the issue of what should be the proper role of these Houses in this crisis, nor did he address the issue I raised, which was supported by others, that whatever proposals are around should be shared with Members of the Oireachtas.

Will the Leader arrange for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to attend the House to address once and for all the extraordinary scenario regarding consumer prices? We heard reports again this morning that shoppers in the Republic of Ireland pay 51% more for non-grocery goods than their counterparts in the North. This extraordinary disparity has never been fully explained. A Forfás report published during the Christmas recess demonstrated that a cost differential must be borne by retailers. However, the additional cost amounts to between 5% and 6% of the price. The Director of Consumer Affairs said that even if that is increased to 10%, that still leaves an unexplained 40% differential in prices between Ireland and its nearest competitors.

This requires to be explained and I call on the Leader to ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to attend the House for a debate not only to cast the issue around in general but to explain why she is apparently doing no more than calling on retailers to do something about this. This debate has been alive for seven or eight months. The Minister says she would like to proceed by consensus but that has not worked on this issue. Politely requesting people to bring prices down will not achieve anything. Legislation along the lines the Minister apparently suggested might be necessary clearly is necessary. Will the Leader address the issue of the price differential in consumer goods? It is a huge issue for people because if they are being asked to forgo pay increases, price is a crucial factor in their consideration of what is proposed.