Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on proposals submitted to her by an association (details supplied) for a supermarket code of practice and a supermarket ombudsman; her plans to enact this legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38525/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The programme for Government contains a specific commitment to "implement a Code of Practice for doing business in the Grocery Goods sector, to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers and to review progress of the Code and if necessary to put in place a mandatory code".

The Deputy may be aware that I launched a public consultation process seeking the views of all stakeholders in relation to the introduction of a Code of Practice for Grocery Goods Undertakings earlier this year. A total of 29 responses, including a response from the association concerned, were received to the consultation process. These responses are currently being analysed by my Department. It is intended that this analysis will inform how best to give effect to the commitment in the programme for Government.

The Government's efforts in this area are essentially based on the need to ensure that Ireland continues to have vibrant and successful food and retail sectors, given the important role these sectors play in the national economy. In this regard, the Government fully recognises the importance of achieving a balance in the relationships between the various players in the grocery goods sector, which takes account of the interests of all the various parties, including the consumer's interests and the need to ensure that there is no impediment to the passing-on of lower prices to consumers.