Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to establish the office of retail ombudsman to deal with disputes between retailers and suppliers, similar to that recently recommended by the UK Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18131/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the ombudsman referred to in the Deputy's Question relates to a proposal made by the UK Competition Commission to introduce a scheme to deal with disputes between retailers and suppliers. It is important to point out that the Commission's proposal is currently the subject of a public consultation process and that no formal decision has been made at this stage to introduce an ombudsman's scheme in the UK. It is not possible, therefore, to say when any such scheme will be introduced in the UK and what form any such scheme might take, or indeed if such a model would be appropriate in an Irish context.

Insofar as the relationship between retailers and suppliers in this country is concerned, whilst the negotiation of commercial contracts between such parties is essentially a matter for the contracting parties themselves, the Competition Acts contain specific prohibitions prohibiting retailers from engaging in certain practices in their dealings with suppliers. Should the Deputy have any evidence of retailers engaging in prohibited practices, I would urge him to bring such evidence to the attention of the Competition Authority in order that it may be investigated fully.