Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the consultation on the retail code of practice will be completed and when the report will be available to the public; when a Bill on the retail code of practice will be presented to the Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41552/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that my predecessor, the Tánaiste, when Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, launched a public consultation in relation to the introduction of Code of Practice for Grocery Goods Undertakings in August 2009. A total of 29 responses were received to the public consultation and these responses can be viewed on my Department's website at www.deti.ie.

Following the public consultation launched by the Tánaiste, the Government, in its "Renewed Programme for Government", has committed 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. It is expected that this legislation will be published early in 2011.

In the interim period, until the legislation is enacted, the opportunity is being taken to explore with stakeholders the possibilities of agreeing a Voluntary Code. To this end I appointed John Travers to facilitate discussions with stakeholders in relation to the drawing up of a Voluntary Code. Mr. Travers is currently engaging with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the development of a Voluntary Code. Mr. Travers will report to me on his efforts to facilitate agreement on the terms of a Voluntary Code in the coming weeks.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that there is a fair balance in the relationships between the various players in the grocery goods sector, particularly given the importance of this sector to the national economy. The introduction of a Code, as provided for in the Programme for Government, is intended to achieve such a balance taking into account the interests of all stakeholders including the interests of the consumer and the need to ensure that there is no impediment to the passing-on of lower prices to consumers.