Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

Ms Dunne mentioned in her opening remarks that the food regulator has stated that one of its issues relates to compellability, particularly with regard to information it wants to get from various players in the field. When the regulator asks for information, many of the players co-operate but if a couple of the big players do not co-operate, it skews the whole thing and makes it very hard to do an accurate report. The regulator would like a situation whereby it could compel these people to give them the information it requires. Many are hesitant because of competition, etc. We understand that and there must be a level of guarantee that any information that flows is going to be handled in a sensitive and proper manner, as would be necessary. Does this directive give the Minister the ability to put in place compellability to allow the food regulator to get the information it requires?