Vol. 520 No. 1
80 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if in view of the weakness of the euro and the strength of sterling, the Government has any strategy to replace retail consumer items, at present imported from the UK, with imports from euro zone countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14048/00]
The decision of individual retailers as to where they source their supplies is clearly one for themselves, and it would not be appropriate for the Government or my Department to intervene in that process.
The Director for Consumer Affairs acts as a watchdog for the consumer to ensure that the consumers' interests are fully protected. The Competition Authority works to prevent anti-competitive practices in the retail trade.
The strong competitive pressures that exist in the retail sector is the best means of containing any adverse impact of the euro or sterling exchange rate on the price of imported consumer goods.
