The European single market gives the right to any firm within the European Union to establish retail outlets in other member states and to source freely their supplies from within the EU. This is a right which many Irish firms are exploiting very successfully, both in terms of establishing businesses in other member states and in supplying the single market. Once the relevant provisions of EU competition law are respected and single market rules adhered to, it is open to all companies to source their products anywhere within the EU. I have no reason to believe that Irish suppliers are at a disadvantage relative to other suppliers.
I am anxious to ensure that Irish suppliers can avail of the opportunities which the increasing number of overseas firms in the Irish retail market provide. To this end, Enterprise Ireland administers a supplier development programme which determines, at an individual company level, the appropriate changes required to assist Irish suppliers to respond to the challenges arising from the structural change under way in the market and to take advantage of the new opportunities arising.