DESPITE the pressures of the LIEU Presidency, Government troubles and so forth, Tanaiste Dick Spring had time on Wednesday to present the SuperValu Excel in Hygiene Awards at Dublin's Berkeley Court and to poke fun at the Opposition at the same time.
Referring to the Coalition as the Rainbow Superstars Group, Dick said that nationwide their shops were doing very well despite an indifferent press, and that demand would be higher than ever next year. "I can promise you all that our prices will be coming down in the new year," he said.
"As you know, ours is a very competitive business. We have had tough decisions to make in recent months and our market share has slipped a bit. But all three parts of our operations are co-operating very effectively. Proof of that is that our main supermarket rivals, the Progressives Fail Alliance, is resorting to desperate measures to win customers.
"We believe that we offer to our customers the correct balance across product range, of price, friendly service, convenient locations and accessibility as well as open and honest trading.
"As you know, the reputation of the PFA's main shareholder was earned through blatant use of the discredited practice of below-cost selling. They have also had to make some changes at the top in recent times. The smaller partner is demanding massive price cuts, the sell-off of important manufacturing facilities and she also wants to be the deputy managing director." The battle lines are indeed drawn.