Cabinet to discuss plan to abolish Groceries Order

Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin is reportedly planning to take steps this week to abolish the regulations banning below-cost selling in Ireland.

Reports this morning said Mr Martin was due to bring proposals before the Cabinet tomorrow for the abolition of the 1987 Groceries Order.

The measure was brought in to protect small retailers from being put out of business by large supermarkets and covers a range of non-fresh food products.

This morning's reports said the proposal to abolish the regulation was based on a conclusion by civil servants that it has kept prices artificially high.

The Competition Authority and consumer groups have been seeking an end to the Groceries Order for some time, but retailers claim it will be the death knell for small, local shops.

They also claim supermarkets will jack up their prices again once they have put small shops out of business.