Vol. 517 No. 3
70 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to repeal the groceries order, particularly the ban on below cost selling; and her views on whether this will have a serious effect on business in smaller towns and introduce a situation where these businesses could not compete with the larger supermarkets. [10087/00]
71 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of the grocery trade relating to reports that the groceries order and the ban on below cost selling may be lifted; and if she will make a statement and give a commitment that this will not happen in view of the negative effect such an action would have on the trade. [10088/00]
72 Mr. Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has any plans to remove the ban on below cost selling, which would do untold harm to the small grocer and supermarket in rural areas; the steps she will take to protect these family businesses; the number of these types of businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10093/00]
73 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to repeal the groceries order; if her attention has been drawn to the anxiety such a move will cause to many small shops and supermarket owners; and if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that many such supermarket owners would be put out of business by the bigger operators without the protection of this order. [10094/00]
74 Mr. D. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the serious disquiet among small shopkeepers in rural County Clare because of changes which she proposes to the groceries order in view of the great benefit of the order to small retailers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10095/00]
78 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to repeal the groceries order, particularly the ban on below cost selling (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9661/00]
79 Mr. Shatter asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to retain the regulations on below cost selling; the plans, if any, she has to amend these regulations; and her views on the detrimental impact this could have on competition in the retail sector. [9806/00]
81 Ms Coughlan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to repeal the groceries order in view of the report (details supplied) being considered by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9838/00]
82 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on below cost selling in the grocery trade; if a ban on below cost selling will be retained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9839/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 78, 79, 81 and 82 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 now consider the report and recommendations of the review group on all the matters referred to it before deciding what further action to take and I will publish it as soon as possible.
