Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on her proposed code of conduct for the grocery sector. [41052/09]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made on the establishment of a code of practice for doing business in the grocery goods sector; the proposed timeframe for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40786/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 59 together.

The renewed 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 House will 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 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.