Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2016
297. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action she is taking to ensure consumers do not suffer due to an ongoing dispute between Irish retailers and a supplier (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31283/16]
View answerThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Grocery Goods Regulations (S.I. No. 35 of 2016) which came into effect on 30 April 2016. These Regulations regulate certain practices in the grocery goods sector. It is important to ensure that there is a balance in the relationship between the various players in the grocery goods sector and that Ireland continues to have a robust retail sector, particularly given its importance to the national economy. The regulation of certain practices in the grocery goods sector is intended to achieve such a balance taking into account the interests of all stakeholders in the sector including the interests of consumers. However, negotiations on price are a matter for the contracting parties as is the case in any commercial relationship.
The CCPC is an independent statutory body responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection and competition law and I, as Minister, have no direct role in such matters. Any allegations of breaches of the legislation should be referred directly to the CCPC.
