Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The rates are quite competitive but the interest is €80 million. If the rates are competitive, and I know some of the banks charge up to 10% for borrowings, perhaps there is a need for State intervention or a mechanism for lending to agriculture given its importance and Food Harvest 2020. Is there a need to look at this if the banks do not provide value for borrowing costs? I am not sure. There are tools that can be used.

The European dimension is critical. One way to control price volatility in a global sense is to introduce intervention prices. Do the witnesses have any suggestions for the committee to make to the Commissioner or the Minister? A twofold reaction is needed at national level and, more importantly with regard to commodity price stability, at European level. How do we get this?