Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been significant debate in the past few weeks, in particular about food inflation on which the Minister made a statement this morning. The primary producers are very concerned about where such a debate is going. There are initial talks of a proposed price cap. I ask the Minister to give his views and that of his Department on a proposed price cap. Does the Minister believe a price cap is appropriate? Does he believe we should bring forward legislation to ensure supermarkets publish their Irish profits on a continuous basis so that we have fair transparency within the food chain? Unfortunately, transparency between the food chain and the primary producer, in particular, who is really being squeezed by major multinationals is a huge issue. I ask the Minister to give his thoughts on the proposed price cap, if it will happen or whether he believes legislation should come forward to ensure the supermarket chains that control such a large proportion of the Irish market should have their Irish profits announced.