Vol. 489 No. 2
31 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions, if any, her Department held with the Competition Authority, Consumer Associates of Ireland, RGDATA and other relevant bodies regarding the ongoing high street invasion by British multiples and its effects on Irish distributors. [7686/98]
My Department and its agencies are in ongoing contact with all the relevant bodies regarding the effects on competition of the changing structure in the marketplace. In regard to the Deputy's allegation of a high street invasion, our EU Single Market commitments require that companies from other member states are entitled to set up business in Ireland provided they comply with the requisite legislation. Equally Irish companies can, and have, set up successfully abroad. Included in Irish legislation are the rules of competition which apply in all sectors of the economy and which were strengthened through the introduction of public enforcement powers in 1996. This is designed to benefit the consumer.
The policy which I and my predecessor have followed in regard to the effects of these developments on Irish distributors, specifically in the case of Tesco and, more recently, Boots was elaborated by me in reply to Dáil Question No. 14 on 18 February 1998. In addition, in response to concerns in this area, Forbairt is in the process of establishing a supplier development programme which it is intended to pilot in the near future. This programme will determine, at an individual company level, the appropriate changes required to assist the Irish sub-supply base to respond to the challenges arising from the structural change under way in the market and to take advantage of new opportunities which are arising in the market. A broadly based steering group involving the development agencies, retailers and suppliers will guide the development and work of the programme which will cover the food and non-food sectors.
