asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he has noted the recent comments of a person (details supplied) regarding the failure of Irish suppliers to make a suitable range of Irish produced goods available to supermarkets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have noted the comments referred to in the Deputy's question. The Deputy will be aware that the IDA published in January last a study entitled "Consumer Foods: Ideas for Development", which identified a range of new consumer food products which have potential for production here. The study also underlined the important role the wholesale and retail grocery trade could play in the further development of the Irish food industry.

I have met recently with representatives of the supermarket groups and I will be having discussions shortly with the independent wholesale and retail grocery trade. The purpose of these discussions is to explore what useful role the retail and wholesale trades might play in overall economic and industrial development. The IDA study is among the issues being raised in the discussions.

I must stress, however, that it is a matter for private enterprise to exploit any opportunities that arise as a result of the IDA's study and the follow-up promotional work undertaken by the IDA. If new proposals emerge as a result of the study, appropriate financial and other assistance will be provided for viable projects.

Might I correct one point? The meeting with the wholesale and retail grocery trade took place yesterday.

Will the Minister agree that there is a great opportunity there for development not alone in the food industry but in other areas of consumer goods? Will he agree with me that the supermarket chains should be more forthcoming in working with the IDA, especially the small industry section, and helping them identify market trends — something they do anyway? Will the Minister agree that if there was closer co-operation a considerable number of jobs would be created and new projects got under way? Will the Minister make his best efforts to bring those areas together and explore the opportunities that exist? In my view they can be exploited because at the end of the day it is in the interests of the supermarkets that the economy is viable and that the money is kept for jobs here.

I am glad the Deputy asked that question. I could not agree more with him. There are tremendous opportunities and a lot of good things that supermarkets can do to help Irish manufacturers, particularly in the food area, to get going by giving them an opportunity to have a guarantee of displaying their products. Own-brand products offer an opportunity for small manufacturers to get involved without having to undertake the development of their own independent brand image as an initial step. I also think that the contractual arrangements made by the supermarkets with the companies in their infancy should be such as not to impose undue cash flow problems on the companies in the early stages until they get established. I am proposing — I have already done so in one case — to meet all the major supermarkets to impress this point on them. I have got a reasonably good response from a general meeting with them. I intend to meet each one individually. I welcome what the Deputy has said and I would welcome his support, and the support of his party, for what we are trying to achieve in this area. In the interim, any influence any member of the public can bring to bear on supermarkets in this direction would be most welcome.

The Minister can be assured that he will receive our support.

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