Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not questioning the different schemes the Government has. I never mentioned them. I agree with the Tánaiste that prices fluctuate. Funnily enough, however, sterling was 91 pence to the euro and it then went back to 85 pence. That means it is better for the person buying in England. The difference between an animal in Ireland and an animal killed in England was €200. Today, if one brought what are called cull cows to mart where the same agents would be buying for the factories, one will actually get more per kilo in the mart. They are still bringing them into the factory at the price the farmer was supposed to take.

Does the Tánaiste agree that it is rather unusual that there would not be as much as a cent between him and I, if I were a factory owner, right across the board in 16 different factories? It is as if someone has a magic wand over all of this. Is the Tánaiste prepared to introduce a regulator with teeth to look at what is going on in the beef sector?

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