Mr. Joe Doyle:

I operate the family run business Donnybrook Fair. Our business is based mainly on fresh food retailing. We produce fresh food on a daily basis. We also support small Irish companies and start-up companies in working actively with Bord Bia and the many small producers which supply to our stores. Between the retail and manufacturing parts of our business, we employ 240 people, 65 of whom are employed directly on the fresh food manufacturing side.

Because of the business we run, we are not eligible for support in the form of grants because we are a producer for the home market. One of the challenges we face relates to the volume of prepared meals and foods brought into the Irish marketplace in trucks.

Every day of the week, they are supplying to the retail business and can avail of grants and everything else. One often wonders if there is a better way of managing the playing field. Our direct contribution to the Exchequer, including through our staff, is approximately €1 million per year. That is a sizeable contribution for a small company. I cannot get into aspects of legislation and licensing law managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. There seems to be one target for everyone and if members want me to explain it later, I will do so.