Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

Deputy Cuffe asked a question on the possibility of establishing a code of practice or ombudsman. The second proposal is the wrong approach. Does the Minister of State agree that a code of practice would not be worth the paper it was written on until such time as a legislative mechanism is put in place to ensure primary producers of animals and vegetables are given a fair crack of the whip in terms of securing a fair percentage of the market price for their products?

The Minister of State indicated that 200 producers enjoyed a share of the €8 million provided in grant aid. Will he provide a breakdown of the figure? Do potato growers feature among this coterie of beneficiaries?

See this speech in context