Vol. 412 No. 7
4 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when he intends to publish the Fair Trade Commission report on the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order, 1987, which was completed in August 1991; if he will outline whether the ban on below cost selling will remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy raised this matter under the Grievance Procedure on 16 October last. In reply the Minister of State at my Department indicated that the Fair Trade Commission report on the Groceries Order is being studied in my Department. That is still the position. I would, however, like to confirm to the Deputy that it is my intention to publish this report before the end of the month and I will be making my views known on the future of the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order, 1987, at that stage.
Is the Minister aware that there is great uncertainty in the industry due to the fact that the report has been in his office since August 1991 and he has had considerable time to study it? We want to hear both sides of the argument. The Minister made a statement when the Competition Bill was going through the House that he does not favour the ban on below cost selling and that he would remove it. Have the Minister's views changed on this matter following his study of this report?
As I have said, I will publish the report before the end of this month, with the decisions or proposals that I make in regard to it. It is premature to debate the matter before publication of the report which, as I have said, will be very shortly.
Will the Minister undertake to the House to have a debate on the matter on publication of the report before the end of the month?
I will not undertake to the House that I will have a debate on it before the end of the month because the timetable of this House is very full.
