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

At a previous committee, we carried out an investigation into unfair trading practices. We looked for primary producers to provide evidence but they were reluctant to come forward for one obvious reason, that is, that if they put their head up they would be shot down very quickly and their chances of a contract would disappear overnight. There are many allegations about "hello" money and upfront payments in the retail sector so no primary producer will say they had to pay an amount of money to get onto the shelf of a particular retailer. There needs to be protection in these cases, whether it is by the commission or somebody else.