Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

More than that, I will ensure there is a national office set up not just to assess issues such as this but also to ensure transparency right across the food supply chain. I campaigned for this in opposition and ensured it went into the programme for Government. I am now working to deliver as a Minister in the Government. Central to my mission as Minister is doing all I can to support, underpin and enhance farm incomes. Central to that is ensuring farmers are getting the best return possible in the markets they sell into, and central to that is transparency in the food supply chain.

As the Deputy knows, there is ongoing consultation on how to ensure the proposed office will achieve transparency. I want to hear from the Deputy, other Members, farmers, consumers and all stakeholders on how we can ensure the office is as effective and robust as possible in addressing issues such as this. I look forward to the Deputy's submission on this. I welcome his recent conversion to the idea of and principle behind a national food ombudsman or regulator. I look forward to hearing the substance of his ideas on how to make sure the office is as effective as possible.

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