Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The front page of the Irish Farmers' Journaltoday features an article stating that the Irish Farmers Association is seeking evidence of uncompetitive practices in the meat processing sector. Almost anybody who looks at this objectively will know that cartel-like practices are being engaged in. It should not be left up to a farmers' organisation to investigate these matters. The people who should be doing this are in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, which has said that it will not investigate it because it does not have evidence. That is crazy because clearly one needs an investigation to gather evidence. Will the Government ascertain whether there is a need for additional legislative powers for the CCPC to conduct such an investigation or if it would be better for another body to be tasked with that role? Does the Tánaiste agree that the concerns raised with regard to the meat processing sector are so grave and numerous that it is now time for an independent beef regulator to be legislated for?

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