Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 103: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has made contact with the larger retail stores in relation to their practice of importing supplies directly from England and the North of Ireland rather than through Irish distribution channels. [44919/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Cost and managing costs is an increasingly important consideration for all businesses in these difficult economic times, particularly in a competitive sector such as the retail sector. Given the recent downturn in retail sales, retailers are reviewing all aspects of their cost base including their distribution costs. However, the sourcing of supplies is a day to day operational matter for individual retailers and is not one in which I have a direct function.