Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

In response to the questions from Deputies Doyle and Sherlock, I must point out that the ombudsman is the vehicle for the legally enforceable approach to the situation. For example, I would envisage that the ombudsman will be able to insist on particular information being divulged, be it in respect of promotion funding and how the supplier is expected to pay for it or overall profits. I believe these issues must be addressed. We know that the multiples are not telling the whole story. They claim this is because their competitors are not telling the whole story. However, two wrongs do not make a right. This issue must be addressed.

The report from the retail-related import and distribution study states in its concluding remarks that this concentration of retail power ultimately means that consumers have less scope to shop around. That is where I believe all of us, including suppliers and farmers, need to focus our attention. Until we create different avenues of access to market, we will continue to battle with the titans of retail power. They are the ones who ultimately will have the last laugh unless we introduce alternatives which undermine their position.

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