Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the progress that has been made in the appointment of a person to draw up a voluntary code of practise to regulate the retail sector; when he expects that this appointment will be made; the proposed timeline for the publication of this code of practice in view of the recent difficulties in finding a candidate to draw up this code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19060/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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 Government will give effect to this commitment by including a specific provision in the legislation, currently being prepared to merge the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, which will allow for the introduction of a statutory Code of Conduct in the grocery goods sector. I expect to publish this legislation later this year. In the interim, until the necessary legislation can be enacted, it is intended to take the opportunity to explore with all the relevant stakeholders the possibilities of agreeing a Voluntary Code. In this regard, the Tánaiste had requested the former Attorney General and EU Commissioner, David Byrne, to act as facilitator in leading the discussions with stakeholders in relation to the development of a Voluntary Code. Whilst the possibility of the role of facilitator conflicting with his existing commitments was raised by Mr. Byrne at the time of his appointment by the Tánaiste, he was of the view that any such conflicts, having been declared, could be managed.

Mr. Byrne subsequently advised me that, having reflected further on the matter, he had since come to the view that it would not be possible to satisfactorily manage the role of facilitator in the light of his existing commitments and that he would not, therefore, be in a position to take up the appointment as facilitator. Whilst I regret that it was not possible for Mr. Byrne to carry out the assignment of facilitator, I fully understand and appreciate his position in this matter. I have appointed John Travers as facilitator, to engage with stakeholders in relation to the drawing up of a voluntary code. I would urge all stakeholders to engage with the facilitator as it is through a Voluntary Code that stakeholders have the best opportunity to develop a Code which best respects their interests and which is most suited to the dynamics of the Irish grocery goods sector.