I ask the Leader for a debate on the future of retail in Ireland. We saw overnight and yesterday the sad news that another retail outlet, EuroGiant, has gone into liquidation. I offer my sympathy and solidarity to the 600-plus workers in the business and the founder, who obviously did not want to be in this position. I understand he put €2.5 million into the company in recent times to try to keep it afloat, but, sadly, that did not work.

The whole retail space in Ireland has changed. As somebody who worked in retail in a previous life, I think that elements of retail are under threat. We cannot change the whole online culture. That is here to stay and it would be foolhardy to think we could change it. However, we can be innovative by creating a retail experience as opposed to having people shop in retail outlets. There is going to have to be more creative thinking. When somebody goes shopping, it should be a leisurely afternoon of enjoyment where they are not necessarily as price conscious. People who are price conscious regularly have predetermined their shopping in discount stores or online.

The future of retail is important. The last thing we want is more dereliction in our towns and villages across the country. There is a EuroGiant store on The Height in Ennis. If that becomes vacant, it is not going to look good in the centre of the town, given the fact that millions have been spent on the paving in the town.

We need to be creative and to think outside the box. We need targeted supports for the retail sector in this country. I would like a debate on the future of retail with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in due course.