The Director of Consumer Affairs, Ms Carmel Foley, has extended the time available for Superquinn to decide whether it will halt the practice of asking suppliers for "support payments".

Ms Foley asked Superquinn to give a commitment that it would "desist" from the practice by today or face High Court action. However, Ms Foley has agreed to a request from Superquinn to extend the deadline until next Friday, said a spokesman. One of the reasons for offering the extension is that Senator Feargal Quinn, the managing director of Superquinn, is currently overseas, said the spokesman.