Feargal Quinn (Independent)

The grocery business in Ireland has been a very competitive one, as I have experienced over the last 50 or 51 years. I have been concerned for some time that the purchasing policies of companies based outside Ireland do not always support Irish products and Irish producers. What really concerns me at present is the intention of the Minister to introduce legislation putting a regulatory control on the purchasing policies of retailers in Ireland. That cannot apply to those whose headquarters are in Dusseldorf, Berlin, London or elsewhere. The measure will place restraints and restrictions on the ability of Irish retailers to negotiate the best deals they can with suppliers, whether in Ireland or elsewhere. It does not place the restriction on those who are not based in Ireland and whose headquarters are based elsewhere. A voluntary code of practice that could be agreed to by everybody would be much better. I have some concern about this because it has not always been proved that non-Irish companies have supported Irish suppliers.

While I am on my feet, may I express my concern, which has turned to pleasure, that Superquinn, the company I headed for many years, has been placed in the hands of an Irish family company? I am very pleased to see this and I am confident that the jobs of the 2,800 people who work there appear to have been secured. I am also pleased that the suppliers will continue to supply that company. Many of them are Irish companies. Concern has been expressed that some of the debts due to suppliers are not fully covered at this stage, but I am hopeful a solution will be found in that regard.

The grocery trade is a very competitive business and we must ensure consumers continue to reap the benefits of that competition. However, four of the larger retailers in this State are not based in Ireland and that development will not be reversed. Irish companies will continue to have to compete with foreign companies. In that context, it is good to see an Irish-owned family business growing stronger and strengthening its ability to compete into the future. We must do nothing to restrict the ability of Irish companies to compete. In the long term it is consumers who will win if there is a competitive and non-restrictive market.