Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Chairman will recall how, during the factory protests last year, farmers strongly lamented the lack of transparency in the sector. We have heard today about some of the focus being placed on retailers or others in terms of who is the cause.

One of the witnesses suggested there was an issue pertaining to turnover being cited as opposed to profits, which might be very different. In most instances, we do not know what the profits of these companies are. This is specifically related to the structure they use.

I am told that Kildare Chilling Company operates on the following basis. The registered company, Kildare Chilling Company unlimited, is owned by a company called Casia unlimited, which is registered in the Isle of Man. Casia unlimited is, in turn, owned by Courtline Holdings, an unlimited Irish-registered company. Courtline Holdings is owned by Rathbeg Investments, an unlimited Irish-registered company, which, in turn, is owned by Kilcourt Investments. It, in turn, is owned-----