Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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This relates to the head of the Bill and the practices that are being banned. The concept of fresh food has been devalued because a person can sometimes buy a head of lettuce for 8 cent. Other vegetables can be very cheap if they are bought in the right place at the right time. There is much anecdotal evidence to suggest that when those types of sales are run, including of dairy products and previously meat products, it puts pressure on processors, which in turn puts pressure on farmers to reduce the cost that they offer. Recently, we saw poultry farmers from across the country protesting outside some large retailers. The situation was flipped on its head entirely. They were told that the supermarkets would not pay an extra 15 cent per chicken because their consumers were used to being able to get chickens so cheaply.

Then when global factors have influence, all of a sudden the retailers have no problem putting up the cost of their food. It is nothing to do with the primary producers here in Ireland. All I am asking for is that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine carry out its own appraisal of whether there can be a mechanism. It does not have to be the same groceries order. In my view it would be better at a pan-EU level, but if we cannot do that, let us look at all options in respect of Ireland.