Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It is time we had a close look at this. I know the Leader sat on a committee which dealt with the whole question of price control and issues such as the groceries order. I do not wish us back in a command economy but if price control is the only way we can get fairness into ordinary trading of food products for ordinary families who are being hit from every side, then it is time we considered taking such action. We cannot countenance a situation to continue where our farmers are being paid the lowest prices in 40 years and our consumers such as housewives and shoppers buying those same products in supermarkets, are being charged the second highest prices or the highest prices in Europe. It is completely unacceptable.

I ask for a discussion on this issue with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Minister of State with responsibility for food. The farming community and the consumers should at least recognise where we stand on this and allow people to go on the record. If it means we have to do things that we did not do before or have not done for a long time, such as introducing price control, then that is what we need to do.