Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not repeat what has been said. I heard the Minister talk about resale price maintenance. There have been so many efforts to control the grocery business over the years, but the ideal control is competition, and Senator Barrett is absolutely right. In my years, a huge number of companies did not succeed and went out of business. However, they went out of business to companies that started. They were small businesses that started. While there are some very large international companies here now, the second biggest company is the Musgrave Group. That is owned by private individuals with a supplier coming to them. This is a competitive marketplace.

When I look back on the controls that manufacturers and suppliers would like, I can remember one group of farmers coming to me and complaining that our meat was too cheap and they were going to place a picket on our stores. I told them they were very welcome to do so because I could not imagine a better advertisement we could get. They did not place a picket. Competition has been very healthy in Ireland and I hope it will continue on that basis in the years ahead. The fewer controls and difficulties we have on that basis, the healthier it will be for competition and therefore for the consumer.