John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on each of the recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business in its report on grocery prices; the recommendations he will be implementing; when he plans to implement them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12197/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have received the latest report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business on its study of the grocery market. The recommendations contained in the report are directed to a variety of Government Departments and agencies, a number of which relate to my Department. The Deputy will also be aware that my Department last year commissioned the consumer strategy group to advise and make recommendations on the development of a national consumer policy strategy. The group as part of its deliberations looked at a number of sectors including the grocery trade.

I would like to thank the Oireachtas joint committee and compliment it for its valuable work in this area. I intend to give proper consideration to the recommendations in the committee's report in the context of developing a new consumer policy in the follow-up to the work of the consumer strategy group. The report of the Oireachtas joint committee will make an important contribution to that process.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the groceries order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12077/05]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to maintain the ban on below cost selling; if he has considered the interim report of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12098/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 146 together.

I have received the report of the consumer strategy group which has made recommendations on a wide range of consumer issues including the groceries order. I am discussing the group's findings with my Government colleagues and arrangements will be made to publish the report as soon as possible.

Once the report is published I intend to consult with all interested parties on the groceries order. I am also aware of the findings of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business in its recent report on the impact of the grocery multiples. I will take the views of all interested parties into consideration before deciding how to proceed in the matter.