John Ellis (Fianna Fail)

Like my colleagues, I refer to the EUROSTAT survey which shows exactly what we have been saying for the past 12 or 18 months, namely, that primary producers are being ripped off, while the multinationals are making enormous profits at the expense of rural Ireland and primary producers. We must do something about this. We had an inquiry into the cartels which operated in the car industry, following which car dealers were prosecuted. The same type of investigation needs to be carried out into the food industry.

The pressure applied to suppliers of multinationals is enormous. They are forced to take from producers the margin they must give to the multinationals. The net result is that although primary producers are subsidised by the European Union, the subsidies are often their only income. Excepting imported food, I predict food shortages in Europe within the next five years. Food production is not viable now and something will have to be done about it.

I raised with the Leader the possibility of having a debate before the summer recess on expenditure on infrastructure by the Government, especially in view of the €6 billion that is to be spent thereon. We should debate this. It is important that the money be spent, that we do not just talk about spending it and that we have full details on where it is proposed to be spent. Spending money will help to reduce unemployment. That should be the aim of everybody.