Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister mentioned in a previous response that one of the goals of this legislation is to introduce fairness, openness and transparency into this sector. I fail to see how the Minister can say that on the one hand but on the other say that consumers should have no idea of the mark-up here by international multiples such as Tesco in comparison with the British market. That has been a bone of contention for several years and remains so, not just in the grocery sector.

The Government response so far has been that it does not intend to insert this into the legislation as it cannot have financial disclosure for one sector and not another. Financial disclosure could negatively affect foreign direct investment into Ireland. I am a bit perplexed by that because most companies which trade or pay taxes here and which are Irish businesses in the retail sector, such as Dunnes Stores, reveal their profits, yet Tesco and others do not have to do so. When fluctuations in exchange rates are taken into account, we want to ensure consumers get a fair price and are not being ripped off compared with their peers in Britain. People can see that very clearly when they order items from British shops that come in through their distribution centres with the UK price, which bears no resemblance to the exchange rate at the time. This can be done. The amendments may not be perfect but the Government should consider this area in particular. I, too, will push that amendment on behalf of my party.