Niall Blaney (Donegal North East, IND-FF)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the current Government proposals on the groceries order with a view to having it retained in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29029/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are no proposals before the Government on the groceries order. However, a public consultation process, which I initiated following the consumer strategy group's recommendation that the groceries order should be revoked, recently generated more than 550 submissions. These were received from a wide range of parties, including trade groups, producers and retailers, as well as a significant number from the public. The submissions have all been considered and a comprehensive report on the consultation process is currently being finalised within my Department. I expect that the report will include recommendations as to what action is appropriate in relation to the order. I will carefully consider my Department's findings before making any recommendations to Government. However, I am on record as saying I do not believe that retention of the order in its current form is a tenable proposition.