Dr. Muiris Ó Céidigh:

As has been pointed out ad nauseam, the agency represents every sector - producers, processors and retailers. However, the hole in the bucket is that the retailer representative currently on the board generally represents the smaller sized retailer, who is quite an important person to take into account given what I said about that sector being hit. However, if one wishes to have real questions on price and so forth addressed and discussed, where 70% of the milk is being sold through one channel, and if one wishes to have answers to the questions representation-wise, it would be better if there was somebody there. That depends on whether they wish to participate. They may think they are so powerful they do not have to explain themselves at all. There could be an organisation of which they are members which might wish to appoint somebody or otherwise, but that is a matter for the Government to decide.

The representative on the board at present has been there since the foundation of the agency and has made very valuable contributions. Bear in mind that there are other players apart from the multiples. As well as the smaller retailer there is the milk round man, whose business is coming back and improving slightly. It is a very difficult task given the difference in price for door-to-door sales. There is also the catering sector. One could do a masters degree on that sector because there is no brand and no traceability there. It could be viewed by catering as a product that must be supplied free, so I am sure that has an impact on how caterers look at the supply of milk.

There is a lot taking place but the short answer to the Deputy's question is that it would make it more representative, provided people were prepared to come along and engage.