The Minister for Enterprise, Micheál Martin has today published draft legislation to revoke the Groceries Order which prevents retailers from selling goods at below the invoiced price.
"The removal of the Groceries Order will introduce greater competition into the grocery trade by allowing retailers freedom to determine the prices which they charge their customers. The sooner we can get this legislation on the statute books the sooner consumers will begin to see the benefit of greater competition in the trade in the form of lower prices," Mr Martin said.
The draft legislation gives effect to the Government's decision of last month to revoke the order and to strengthen certain provisions of the Competition Act 2002.
The Minister confirmed that it was proposed to begin debate on the new legislation in the Senate tomorrow with a view to having to having the new legislation enacted with the minimum of delay.