Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We have had a great deal of discussion in the House over the past year on the prices consumers have to pay. We continued through the National Consumer Agency, NCA, to conduct comparative analysis, North and South. My view and that of many other Deputies, including Deputy Penrose, was that hedging could not be accepted as a method by which people had shown prices, and that we needed good value for our consumers. Given that the buying and spending power of consumers has been reduced, people naturally expect better value for money. As a former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I am aware that must be balanced with a sustainable Irish food sector.

It has been brought to my attention anecdotally that there are concerns about access to supermarket shelves. I met with Tesco representatives prior to the announcement of a reduction in prices in Border areas. They reassured me that they would continue to have Irish products available. Meanwhile, suppliers have indicated that they are finding it more difficult to sustain their activities. Moreover, it is important to say that any retail sector company, if it is making a profit and can sustain its business, should grant price reductions to consumers as well as giving a fair return to suppliers.

Forfás has evaluated the cost of doing business and I have given my views on that. The Competition Authority has undertaken work on my behalf on the costs from suppliers to the supermarket shelf. We must have a balance - I appreciate the Deputy is trying to do so - between the need for a vibrant food industry and providing value for money to consumers.

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