Joe O'Toole (Independent)

At least I have a price.

On a number of occasions we have had discussions in the House and heard a number of presentations by the various farmer groups on agricultural prices. They have talked about the discrepancy between farmgate prices and what the consumer pays. I have said at least three times in the House that there are cartels at both the farmgate and consumer ends. Those buying on the one end are overcharged while suppliers are also losing out. We have now seen the fallout in the report today on prices.

There is a shared view in the House that there is a growing problem which should be debated. Attempts were made to discuss it in the negotiations on Sustaining Progress, which will be debated in the House next week. However, as Senator Brian Hayes rightly said, we may need a more direct approach in order that Ministers can go on the record in informing us of their views. Exorbitant profits are being made with the result that everybody is losing except for a small group. We should address this issue for the sake of the future development of the economy.