THE COMPETITION AND MERGERS REVIEW GROUP Discussion Document on the Groceries Order Published

The Competition and Mergers Review Group chaired by Michael Collins, SC has today (Friday 17th December, 1999) published its fourth and final discussion document on the Groceries Order. The most controversial part of the Groceries Order is the ban on below cost selling of certain grocery products. The Review Group points out that many of the provisions of the Groceries Order have been overtaken by the Competition Acts and recommends that repeal of the Groceries Order. Insofar as any regulation may be introduced in relation to the grocery trade, a slim majority of the Group recommends that any such regulation should not include a ban on below cost selling but may include provisions requiring retailers to abide by their agreed credit terms with suppliers, banning "hello" money and requiring retailers to sell their products to anyone who wishes to buy them (including other small retailers).

Comments on this proposal are invited by the Review Group before 24th January 2000. The Group hopes to deliver its final report thereafter to the Tánaiste.

Copies of the discussion document are available on the Department's website www.irlgov.ie/entemp and can also be obtained directly from the Secretariat by contacting Grace O'Regan.