Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and his officials for the briefing provided to us. We will be supporting the amendments as it is important any issues around the legislation be amended as quickly as possible.

I would like to comment on the role of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in the recent beef dispute as I do not believe it covered itself in glory. We had an issue where farmers were looking for a fair price and for fair treatment from those whom they supplied, and the only action of the commission was to go after the farmers and not particularly to go after the big conglomerates that were causing the dispute. As its first outing in terms of public persona and public presence, I do not believe it covered itself in glory. This agency needs to develop a reputation for standing by the consumer and for standing by the small producers who do not have the power and the might of the big conglomerates. On this occasion, it did not do that. It is not a good start and I hope it is not a method by which it means to continue.

I support the legislation. I again thank the Minister of State and his officials for the clarifications given.

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