Vol. 504 No. 2
175 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the information, if any, he has received which may indicate that overseas controlled supermarket chains do not allow equal opportunity for Irish suppliers to supply food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11723/99]
176 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of food products available through overseas controlled supermarket chains operating in Ireland in respect of which it is possible to verify the degree to which all Irish or other EU suppliers have equal opportunity to provide products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11724/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
I am not in receipt of any information which would suggest that Irish food companies are not being afforded equal supply opportunities by overseas controlled supermarket chains operating in Ireland. Given the free trading conditions which apply here and throughout the European Union, neither am I in a position to determine the basis on which purchasing decisions in relation to individual products are taken by these or indeed any other retail companies operating here.
As is the case with all other sectors of industry, the extent to which our food industry can maintain and expand its market position will be determined by its ability to function successfully in today's competitive climate. The current development strategy for the food industry – the food sub-programme – has enhanced the competitiveness of the sector. Its range of support measures has encouraged greater productivity and increased efficiencies. Allied to the market-oriented nature of the strategy, these have assisted the industry to increase total output by £2.2 billion and exports by £1.1 billion over the 1994 to 1998 period.
