Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

General Scheme of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Tim Cullinan:

That is a relevant question. It is important that the right people are on the board. We are here because we are trying to protect the primary producer. It is critical that there are enough people representing primary producers on the board. What is important is, as we said earlier in this debate, it is about the power that will be given here as well around the legislation and going back to see where the margin is at. The make-up of the board is one issue and it is important that there is a sufficient number of people on that board but what that board can do is more important. We have many boards throughout the country that sit week in, week out and deliver. This has to be given the power by the Minister and the legislation has to be there. We spoke about the fines. If there is not a deterrent to doing something, it will not stop that happening. That is critically important. My colleague, Mr. Malone, has done a great deal of work in this area. He might want to comment on that.