Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

I thank the witnesses and Ms Dunne for her presentation. What we are talking about is a directive that gives a little more method for the regulator in this State to work with regulators in other states, mainly within the EU, in respect of how they can co-operate better to ensure a level playing field for the farmer and, we hope, the consumer at the other end. An issue that comes to mind in that regard is that regulators in other states in the EU have been much longer in existence and have in many cases done a lot more work in this field. I met the food regulator recently and it is taking baby steps. It has only been in place for a short while and has a lot of work to do. It has done a couple of reports into the poultry sector and eggs. It has looked at other sectors but has not done reports. It probably needs more resources to do that. Will the regulator's co-operation with regulators in other states mean that it will require more resources to be able to work in that context? That is one of the big problems it has. There are approximately 16 staff members and the regulator has a lot of work to do domestically. When its remit is broadened internationally, it will put more strain on the regulator. Perhaps that is not a question related directly to the directive but would be an impact of it.