Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I share the concerns of my friend and colleague, Senator Ó Murchú, regarding the branding of allegedly Irish-made goods. At a time when the economy is in such a tailspin and the focus is increasingly on the protection of jobs, this is a very serious issue. I ask the Leader to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or a Minister of State from that Department to the House so that we might hear the Government's view on the issue.

I suggest the problem lies within Europe. It exists because of the very powerful food lobby that operates with international cartels whose budget and turnover would be in excess of even the turnover of an Irish Government. They have a very powerful lobbying impact in the European Union and have resisted having clear labelling in the entire food industry, to the current detriment of this economy. As Senator Ó Murchú pointed out, it is shameful that goods which are projected as Irish are being sourced outside the country. However, this should not deflect in any way from the need for Irish people to be aware when they go shopping and to question whether Irish goods are available.

Some of the multinationals are lax in this regard. The matter was raised in the House on previous occasions but now it is because of overall concern and the need to protect jobs and, one hopes, to expand them, especially in respect of Irish-made goods. I ask the Leader for a debate on this issue. I reiterate that the problem lies within the European Union, in its weakness and inability to take on the major food multinationals and increase and improve labelling for the benefit of the consumer.