Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Yesterday Senator Kathryn Reilly asked for a debate on food labelling and the Leader said it will be held in a couple of weeks. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has points to make, but not only on food labelling, from which we can learn. A debate is to take place on raw milk legislation over the weekend at the Totally Tipperary food festival. Such legislation is to be introduced in this country later this year. It is very interesting that some say raw milk is safe while others say it is not. We can debate this. In Britain, raw milk is allowed to be sold and used for cheese-making. A number of farmers in Ireland rely on it and have very successful cheese-making operations. Are we to say the State will protect those who have always consumed raw milk and cheese or are we to say it will interfere?

We must interfere if safety is at stake. I heard a professor state the argument made by those whose families have consumed raw milk for generations with no adverse effects, thus provoking them to ask why the State is interfering, is like arguing that, in spite of legislation passed, one wants the right not to put seatbelts on one's children in the car. This subject is worthy of debate in the House because, while the State deciding what is right for the people exposes it to the danger of becoming a nanny state, it must ensure the safety of the citizens is taken into consideration.

I am reminded of the calls for a debate yesterday on tight State control of the pricing policy of hotels. There is some belief that the marketplace is not the right place to decide on such policy. If we had tight control on prices, as we used to have in various areas, we would never have had a Ryanair. One may not like Ryanair, but one should note it has managed to introduce a form of transport that has enabled a very large number of people to travel who would not otherwise have travelled. If the State decides what people should do and what hotel prices should be, such that hotels cannot increase prices when there is a big event taking place, it is not in accord with the principles of the marketplace. Ryanair is a very good example of a company that would charge an outrageously high price if there were a big football match taking place and a very low price if nothing were taking place. This is the nature of the marketplace and what we should be taking into account.

I would very much like to have a debate on the remarks of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, particularly on raw milk legislation, and I am sure it can be included in the debate on food labelling.