Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)

The food regulator asked for these powers over a year ago. Why is it taking the Government so long to give it the powers it needs to do its job? When we go into a supermarket, we see people at the checkout not being able to buy items and having to return them or leaving the supermarket stressed and worried about how they are going to meet their other bills during the week. This has gone on for well over a year without the Tánaiste's Government acting. Is the Government going to sign these extra powers in this year? Is it going to happen in the next couple of weeks in this year? Will the Tánaiste give us the detail on this? Are all the powers the food regulator needs to compel supermarkets, processors and anyone else in the supply chain to hand over the data required going to be in place to allow it to do its job? Are all those powers going to be in place in the next couple of weeks? Why has the Government delayed on this? Will the food regulator get the full powers? Will the food regulator now start going after price gouging? There is clear evidence of price gouging and profiteering taking place and of food prices increasing way above input prices. When is the Government actually going to act on price gouging?

See this speech in context