Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Time will tell. We will see in a couple of years' time whether farmers will be protesting again. The fundamental problem is that the market is controlled by too few operators. I am sure international markets have competition authorities which have the teeth to be able to investigate markets which are not functioning correctly. It is not that long ago that the Competition Authority made public statements to the effect that it could not carry out any investigations because of staffing issues. Would the Minister be willing to call in the Competition Authority and ask it to investigate the beef sector if producer groups do not achieve the goals set for them by the Minister?

See this speech in context