Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Some of the questions I wanted to ask have been asked already so I have only three questions. First, Mr. Healy is saying the EU average is €1.85 to €1.87 per kilogram and MII is paying €1.70 per kilogram. That is my assumption and that was only €1.50 up to two weeks ago. How is it MII has been able to pay that extra 20 cent over the past couple of weeks? Why was this not paid to pig farmers earlier when they were struggling severely at that time? Second, as touched on by Deputy Carthy earlier, how can MII, one of the largest players in the industry, not financially contribute in any shape or form towards a bailout plan? It is a no-brainer that it would be involved in some way. Third, why has MII not used its position to collect a levy from the retailer to contribute towards the bailout plan? That could be similar to the levy that is there for the IFA and it could be brought in instead of this levy being put on pig farmers. I would appreciate it if the witnesses could answer those questions.