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

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 11, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:“(2) The regulator shall collate the costs associated with the production of different foodstuffs in order to determine a cost-of-production, and publish reports on such on an annual basis.”.

This is an important amendment. It takes into consideration the very clear views we have received from farm organisations and other primary producers on an individual basis. It calls for the addition of the following line: "The regulator shall collate the costs associated with the production of different foodstuffs in order to determine a cost-of-production, and publish reports on such on an annual basis."

Amendment No. 6 also inserts that: "Such analysis and published reports should contain appropriate and relevant reference to and contrast with price and market data available internationally." This goes to the crux of what we are told people want the rialálaí or regulator to do, which is ensure that we can end the practice of below-cost selling of groceries. The first step we must take in order to be able to do that is to have an independent body establish what the cost of production is. The body that would be most appropriate to do such work is this new authority. Therefore, we commend the amendment to the Minister and encourage him to consider it.