Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegations for their detailed presentations. I will not rehash what has been said because we have a lot to get through. I will just make a few points and put my question. I concur with everything Deputy Deering has said and agree we need both a short-term and long-term solution. The consumer protection and competition Bill will be a key component for that solution, as will be addressing the relationship between the producer, the processor and the retailer.

Coming from a farming background, I would have a negative enough view of the factories. When this committee did its work on the grocery order and reported on it, we saw there was pressure on farmers and middle producers from the multiples also.

There is a problem in trying to force people to buy a product for which they do not have a market but the issue is much wider than that. The phrase "market manipulation" has been used many times today and that should prompt everyone to sit up and listen. In particular, the presentation from ICOS which made cost comparisons between the UK and Ireland was telling.

Reference was made to different jurisdictions and the rules that apply to different areas. In that context I am reminded of the story told by my colleague, Deputy Joe McHugh, from Donegal, about the pig farmers in Donegal whose animals are inspected by departmental inspectors and then, when they cross the Border to Foyle Meats, they have to be checked again. There is much overlap and duplication of effort in that regard. I ask the witnesses to give their views on the potential for an all-island approach to such matters. Would that be helpful? Would they see any pitfalls in such an approach?