Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On page 108 of A Programme for a Partnership Government, it is acknowledged that agriculture is the heartbeat of rural Ireland. I am concerned that farmers supply to the food chain through multinational supermarkets which, because we have lost so many grocers and small shops, are gaining a monopoly in the market. The consumer will have to pay what these multinational supermarkets demand. There is also a monopoly being imposed on farmers by the meat factories. What is the Government going to do to protect farmers' incomes in the context of their dealings with the multinational supermarket companies and the meat factories?

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