I read with interest the debate on this issue recently at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business, to which Deputies Perry and Owen contributed. Such questioning of the personnel involved is very helpful from our point of view. A number of features of the groceries order have become redundant since the enactment of competition legislation in 1991 and 1996. However, there are a number of options. It could be repealed or replaced by regulation or legislation.
We must concentrate on the concerns of small independent retailers. That is an important factor as we think our way through this. The Government will not outline its position until it receives the final report from the review group, but the concerns of such retailers must be seriously considered in terms of dealing with this issue.