Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The task force commissioned Grant Thornton to conduct a series of market transparency studies. At the most recent meeting of the task force in March, there was an update from Grant Thornton on its work. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, attended the meeting where he expressed his concern with the manner in which factories informed farmers of recent price cuts, along with changes to breed bonuses and weight limits.

The programme for Government commits to the establishment of a national food ombudsman. This is ongoing and requires the drafting of a statutory instrument to transpose the unfair trading practices, UTP, directive before the deadline of May 2021. Legislation will then be required to establish the new office of the national food ombudsman, NFO. It is intended there will be a national consultation process on the functions of this new ombudsman prior to the primary legislation being enacted. The Minister is also considering how to include price transparency and reporting issues as part of its functions.

The short answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes". We are committed to establishing a national food ombudsman. Legislation will be required. That legislation can set out the powers and functions the new officer will have. I know the Deputy will want to engage with us on that.

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