The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, is to bring proposals for amending the Groceries Order to Government early next month.

Changes to the order, which prevents retailers from selling goods below their wholesale invoice price, would be made "sooner rather than later", Mr Martin told yesterday's weekly Cabinet meeting.

The Minister plans to consider the points made by both sides in public debate on the issue before finalising his proposals, a Government spokesman said yesterday.

Earlier this month, Mr Martin described the order as flawed and outdated, and criticised the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business for calling for its retention "come what may".

The committee has warned the Minister there is no evidence that removing the order would lead to a fall in prices.

Earlier this week, in a significant shift in position, Fine Gael called for the replacement of the order with a new law allowing some below-cost selling. The party, which had supported the order, wants a ban on predatory pricing, a practice which allows major multiples to charge below cost for certain goods in order to damage smaller retailers.

However, Fine Gael says special offers and promotions involving below-cost selling should be allowed for limited periods.

The party's stance was attacked yesterday by the PDs, who want the order abolished.

Fiona O'Malley TD accused Fine Gael of hypocrisy, and said the party's position represented "the worst kind of fudge".

"Fine Gael has rabbited on about rip-off Ireland. They claim to be the consumer champion. Yet at the first opportunity to do something that will make a real difference to the consumer's pocket, they shy away and are found wanting," she said.