System has failed to halt decline in number of independent retailers

YOUR article headlined ‘Competition laws may destroy small towns, warn TDs’ (October 30) reported on the appearance before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment by the chairperson of the Competition Authority, William Prasifka, in relation to the grocery market, grocery prices and the retail planning system.

The article reported on comments made by TDs and senators in defence of maintaining the current system of retail planning — but failed to report Mr Prasifka’s responses.

In particular, Mr Prasifka stated that: