Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I share the comments made, particularly by Senators O'Toole and Norris but I am sure by others also, on the EUROSTAT survey. In fact, it is not a concern any more, it is real anger at a multinational which is hiding behind statistics and the assumption that somehow because we are an island nation we have higher transport and taxation costs. The EUROSTAT survey blows that argument completely out of the water. It is past time that the people concerned were brought to book in that regard. I do not know how this could be done under legislation, but during his time as a Deputy the Leader of the House chaired a committee which examined this and other issues and I am sure he will respond to the comments made. It is past time that some action was taken, particularly in the light of the fact that as an island economy we make a big play of the green environment in which we grow basic foodstuffs which we manufacture and sell abroad. It has reached a sorry state that other countries in Europe are selling our produce much cheaper than we can sell it in this country. Farmers are correctly up in arms over the fact that their incomes have reduced significantly in recent years. What do farm families think when they look at the EUROSTAT survey? What annoys me, in particular, is that everyone in the economy has been tightening his or her belt in the past two years. People have taken cuts in their wages and working week. I charge the multinationals, specifically one company which has come to this country and in effect dominated the grocery sector.