The impact of cross-border shopping will be assessed by a delegation of politicians today.
The cross-party group will visit the border region and Northern Ireland for a two-day fact-finding mission.
Members of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment will talk to representatives from the retail trade industry in Ballyclare, Banbridge, Belfast and Dundalk.
Committee chairman Willie Penrose said many retailers in border areas were facing challenging times, with some warning of substantial job losses as a result of the financial downturn and flow of shoppers to the north.
"Given Superquinn's recent announcement that it is to close its Dundalk store with the loss of nearly 70 jobs, this trip takes on even greater importance," he said.
"It will allow members of the committee to see at first hand how currency fluctuations and differences in taxes and prices, along with higher business costs such as energy, waste and rates, are impacting retailers in border towns."
Latest estimates put current cross-border spending on household items in Northern Ireland by shoppers from the Republic at £500 million a year.
Yesterday Dublin's Lord Mayor defended her bid to lure cross border shoppers back to the capital.
Cllr Eibhlin Byrne stressed a thriving business community in Dublin was vital for the maintenance and survival of the city.
The group of TDs and Senators will today meet Glen Roberts, Northern Ireland retail trade association, and pay a courtesy visit to National Assembly in Belfast.
Members will travel to Dundalk tomorrow where they will attend a working lunch hosted by Dundalk Chamber of Commerce followed by a tour of Dundalk. The fact-finding trip will also include a visit to the Centre for Renewable Energy at Dundalk Institute of Technology.
"Greater use of renewable energy is not just good for economic, energy security and environmental reasons, it has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in Ireland," said Mr Penrose.
"Given the economic downturn, this has the potential to offset job losses in other sectors and provide new opportunities for workers with a variety of skills."
PA