Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his attendance in the past few days. Most of the issues were teased out on Committee Stage. However, I still have concerns about certain aspects of the Bill. I disagree with amendment No. 16 on the appointment of an independent ombudsman being ruled out of order. Last Thursday I mentioned that there was an ombudsman's office in Britain that cost £800,000. It has a full-time ombudsman and three staff and operates in an economy much larger than our own. I do not agree with the Minister's fundamental point that an ombudsman could only oversee guidelines or voluntary recommendations. Following the Bill's passage, the ombudsman would oversee the operation of the legislation and the sector in question. The amendment would have given the Bill teeth. For example, the Financial Services Ombudsman, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Pensions Authority oversee their respective sectors through the use of legislation, not guidelines or recommendations. I fail to see the Minister's point and disagree with the Leas-Chathaoirleach's decision in ruling the amendment out of order. It would not have imposed a charge on the Exchequer; rather, I was seeking to have the cost met by the retail sector, as is the case in Britain.

Broadly, I am satisfied with the Bill, but I have grave concerns about specific aspects that relate to producers in the agriculture sector and the grocery trade. The powers required to ensure fair play for consumers and producers are not fully enshrined in law. My group will support the Bill in general, but the Minister should keep a watching brief on this matter. He and his Department should be proactive in this regard and not wait until Christmas or Easter for a raft of below cost selling cases to hurt indigenous industries, family-owned businesses and quality producers in a race to the bottom.

I will not repeat the points I made on Committee Stage, but my job, as a legislator, is to make points on behalf of the people, employers and consumers as best as I can. I commend the Minister for the great deal of work done on the Bill and congratulate him on the retention of his Ministry. He has done a good job so far. I ask him to keep a close watching brief on this crucial industry. The Harvest 2020 strategy was produced by my colleague, Deputy Bendan Smith, and followed up by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney. Agrifood is an important sector and, while we should not introduce protectionism, we should not be ashamed of trying to protect and grow it. These jobs will stay and not move in ten or 15 years time.

I thank the Minister for his attendance and interaction in recent days.