Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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No, an accusation was made so I asked questions. The response was that it was possible someone could have handed over information in a factory but I do not have evidence that it happened. If it is there, I am open to seeing it. We are putting a beef pricewatch application on the Department's website so that everyone can access detailed information on what is being paid for what grade of animal in every factory line in the country every week. Accusations about a cartel can be examined in terms of facts and figures. The forum is needed to get past rumours, accusations and megaphone diplomacy. Farming leaders are rightly standing up for their members and processors are standing up for their sector but there is no real conversation in terms of trying to solve issues of mutual concern. Factories need a steady supply of good quality cattle in spec, farmers need to get a fair share of the margin available and we need to make sure this happening. If there are issues in respect of access to information that factories should not be getting, we raise the issues, resolve them and put systems in place to ensure they cannot happen. It is a case of improving the overall performance of the sector, which is what the forum is all about. We have shown seriousness because the Minister chairs the forum and in future he or she will be directly involved in the discussions and debates, which can be heated. That is the way it should be. We should have the discussions there rather than outside that room.