Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Previously, we have discussed the code of conduct for retailers and suppliers, the joint labour committees, the NERA regulations and the need to tighten up on this issue. There is no sense in having a primary producer product such as milk leaving farm gates at €0.20 per litre and turning up on the shelf for consumers at €1.40 or €1.39 per litre with no accountability or code of conduct on how that price was reached. Who gets the margins and where is the profit margin soaked up? We agree that the energy costs of production and minimum wage costs are causing us problems, particularly given the exchange rate. However, we have to have a code of conduct.

We need a fair trade agency, which would see the merger of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority, with extra teeth. It is simple science. In the grocer super-multiples, which are worth approximately €14 billion to the industry, we have all types of unethical conduct taking place that we cannot see through, examine, monitor or regulate. An industry worth €14 billion that is not regulated or monitored properly is open to misuse and manipulation. If that is the case, and it appears it is because we are not challenging it, I ask that this Bill be passed by the House and adopted into law after the summer recess. The Minister of State cannot disagree with that.

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