Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

I thank the Social Democrats for bringing forward this important subject for discussion. At the risk of being pedantic, I have said it before but I will say it again and continue to say it: there is a very important saying, let food be your medicine. It is the foundation of health. The health basis and the knock-on health effects of this issue are yet to play out. I totally understand the role of the competition authority and the need for the role of the Agri-Food Regulator to be strengthened. That is an area where, as it stands, interference is limited. However, it should not limit us in our suggestions. I will make two suggestions this morning.

We absolutely have to look at a list of essential nourishing foodstuffs for price consideration and perhaps look at establishing, with an independent dietician, that essential list of dietary staples. The reasons for that are twofold: the health benefits but also to ensure a fair price for the farmer or the grower. The knock-on benefit of that will be national resilience. It will also help to secure local rural economies and to ensure the quality and the health benefits of the food product.

I will give the House an example from the Irish Grain Growers group.

Imagine this: the price of grain today, be it wheat, barley or oats, is no more than the price 40 years ago. Yet, all the contributions in this Chamber relate to the current cost to the consumer. The gap in the middle is a serious issue and one that must be dealt with in terms of our sustainability going forward and the viability of farming but also, ultimately, the delivery of a quality, fair-priced product to the consumer.

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