Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 86, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following:"(2) All retailers defined as relevant grocery goods undertakings must disclose their profits in the Irish market.".

Again, we discussed this at length the other day. It relates to disclosure of profits. I know the Minister gave a response with regard to why would he insist upon it in one sector and not in another. This issue arises later in the Bill and relates to the establishment of an ombudsman in this area. Unfortunately, a later amendment has been ruled out of order. The Minister said on Committee Stage that this Bill aims to bring about "fairness, openness and transparency".

I put it to the Minister that there is no fairness, openness and transparency for the consumer, particularly in respect of many of the foreign multiples operating here and the mark-ups they charge. I do not propose to reiterate the many points I made on this issue last week. I believe what I am proposing would go a long way to protecting the consumer and, in particular, our producers. The Minister knows as well as I do that the large multiplies have a hold over the producer who has planted 50 acres of potatoes or 100 acres of carrots because they know the producers cannot dump them but need to sell them on. This leads to our producers not getting a fair price and, often, getting a price that is below the cost of production. This would be addressed if the Minister were to accept that retailers in this sector should produce their profits and, if they operate across different jurisdictions, show the price in one jurisdiction versus another. I do not propose to labour the point any further as I spoke on it in great detail last week. However, I do intend to push this to a vote. This would be right for the consumer and the producer.