Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask the Minister a direct question. Will he instigate an investigation into what has happened with fertiliser and the exorbitant cost of it? A cartel is operating. We have even been told the larger co-operatives have asked the suppliers that import fertiliser not to supply it or to hold up the supply to the smaller merchants, and that is very serious. It looks to everyone out there, down our neck of the woods anyway, as though the co-operatives are doing everything possible to keep the price of fertiliser up. If it were not for what happened in the North of Ireland, where it is available - we make no apologies for bringing it down - the cost of fertiliser would be still at the same level as last year. I am asking the Minister please to follow that up and instigate an investigation into what has happened. This is serious. It has driven up inflation and the price of everything. When farmers have to charge more, shops have to charge consumers more. It has directly impacted on the financial well-being of the country.

Likewise, why is green diesel still being sold at a higher cost than it should be, given the prices of white diesel and petrol have dropped? The price of green diesel has not dropped at the same rate. Will the Minister follow up both issues? This is important. The whole country depends on food.

See this speech in context