Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Brophy has highlighted the promotions, such as the super six. Is there any evidence that money has to be paid in advance, the "hello money" or whatever? From what I hear from different people the "hello money" is a requirement in order to get a product on the shelves of supermarkets. Has Mr. Brophy any evidence of this practice?

Following from a question I asked, I refer to the balance between the initiative taken by EU Commissioner Hogan on this matter compared to the Irish solution. When we were dealing with this matter a year and a half ago we were castigated in a Sunday Independent article by an individual who has since become a part-time politician, that we were not looking after the consumer. Deputy Ó Cuív was lumped in with us at the time and we were seen as a group of Fine Gael farmers who had only one item on their agenda and that was to look after our own people as such. Where does Mr. Brophy see the balance being? We could be accused again. We are all on the same side here but the consumer side will be used by the multiples who will maintain they are looking after the consumers and giving them what they want.