Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his attendance and Professor Alan Reilly for providing all the information. Coming from a farming background, I am aware of the regular and robust inspections conducted by Bord Bia and the Department and of the penalties imposed where there is a lack of compliance and wonder whether the same thing happens within the food industry. Is the Minister confident that all of the sources have been identified at this stage? This has dragged on for some weeks and is he happy all of the sources of the horsemeat DNA have been identified?

Is it the case that because supermarket chains and retail outlets are forcing down the cost of food to such an extent, people in the industry must try to get the cheapest inputs possible? Is that the problem? This brings us to the importance of country of origin labelling. It is vital product is clearly labelled as to whether it is fully Irish and if so it should be labelled as such.