Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Article 45.2.iii of the Constitution provides, "That, especially, the operation of free competition shall not be allowed so to develop as to result in the concentration of the ownership or control of essential commodities in a few individuals to the common detriment." Whatever about the law, the Minister of State is constitutionally bound to ensure the common good prevails in this case. Surely the common good in this case would ensure the price of vegetables would be pitched in order that we could continue to have a horticulture industry in this country that can provide that essential commodity to our people. This would ensure the control of a few individuals, in this case, a small number of supermarkets, is not exercised in such a way that it effectively controls essential commodities.

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