Vol. 517 No. 6
113 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the considerable opposition to changing the present groceries order particularly from shopowners who do not have the purchasing power of the large multiple retail outlets and cannot afford to sell products below cost; and if she will maintain the ban on below cost selling. [10408/00]
115 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether she has received expressions of concern from grocers and traders in relation to the possibility of below cost selling arising from the proposed changes in the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order, 1987; if her attention has been drawn to the potential loss of jobs and advantage to larger chain stores as a consequence of a change in the order; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10615/00]
123 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concern in the grocery trade in relation to the possible removal of the groceries order; and if she will ensure that the ban on below cost selling remains in place as its removal would cause serious difficulties for small traders and would have a devastating effect on small towns and villages. [10842/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 115 and 123 together.
I have recently received the report and recommendations of the Competition and Mergers Review Group. The review group reported on merger and competition law and administration and made a wide range of recommendations in this area. The work of the group also covered the groceries order which provides for a ban on below cost selling.
I will publish the report and recommendations of the review group as soon as possible and then consider all the recommendations before deciding what further action to take.
