Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The role of the enforcement authority within my Department, which has been place since May, is to enforce the unfair trading practices directive and other directives that are in place at European level. It has undertaken over recent weeks and months a significant engagement process with those in the food supply chain and those who will be affected by the unfair trading practices directive to inform them of the responsibilities on them to ensure that fair play, proper regulations and structures are in place in their engagement with all suppliers.

In the context of the unfair trading practices directive and any practices that in any way undermine the relationship with suppliers, the authority ensures there is absolute clarity on the responsibilities on all those within the supply chain. Similarly, it ensures suppliers are aware of the opportunity to make a complaint to the enforcement authority too. All of this will be transferred to the new regulator or ombudsman's office once it has been established next year.

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