Ban on below-cost selling of food to be reviewed

The ban on the below-cost selling of food, as a loss leader, may be reviewed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin.

The minister is also considering changes to the restriction on the size of out-of-town superstores, although, strictly speaking, this falls under the remit of the Department of the Environment and Minister Dick Roche.

The National Competitivness Council has called for both measures to be abolished, as it claims they contribute to higher food and consumer goods prices.