Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government contains a promise to create a food ombudsman to protect farmers and consumers from unscrupulous behaviour on the part of powerful retailers and processors. Farmers had sought a regulator with real teeth to tackle the cartel-like behaviour of factories and others, particularly in the meat sector. The Government's draft Bill for an office for fairness and transparency was roundly criticised for lacking the necessary enforcement powers. The Minister promised that the new office would be in place by the end of 2021. That did not happen. He then promised it would be in place by summer 2022, but that did not happen either. This Bill went to Cabinet only yesterday. When will it be progressed and, crucially, will the Taoiseach give a commitment to positively consider the amendments Sinn Féin and others will bring forward to address the remaining deficiencies in the Bill and protect our family farmers and consumers in the market?

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